Two Stories in One

Introduction:

This morning’s powerful Gospel story of healing is meant to give hope and courage to each one of us, for in one way or another we are all wounded and in need of healing! 

How do we care for ourselves in a healthy, restoring and realistic way? 

This is the question put to each one of us here this morning!If we are truly honest people of faith and hope, there is no way we can avoid the challenge of the Gospel story.

Just as we take medicine and food to keep our bodies healthy and have a routine of exercise, our spirits also need care and the resources of our faith to nourish our hope and trust that the Lord cares for us.

These Gospel stories are meant to instruct us in self-care and show us a way to heal our hurts.

In the Gospel story, the official of the synagogue, Jairos, is deeply distressed. 

His daughter is near to dying.He falls at the feet of Jesus, pleading:“Please come and lay your hand on my daughter so she may get well and live.”                                                                                        
Without hesitation, Jesus went off with him and a large crowd follows him.

In the second story of this morning’s Gospel reading, there is a woman who does not have a name, which for the purpose of the story would seem to indicate she is without means or resources. 

Her story confirms this for she has suffered a haemorrhage these past 12 years; still this hasn’t diminished the anguished desire for healing that is driving her.

The inner wisdom of her own being suggests, “If I touch his clothing, I shall get well.”

The two stories belong together. Let me explain how I see them.

I hope you don’t mind if I try to make her condition a little bit more real.  I think of the Fistula Hospital in Addis Adaba started by an eminent Aussie health-worker who has spent years giving very special care to the women rejected by their husbands and by their communities. The lucky ones manage to find their way to the hospital where there is hope and healing.

This woman touches the hem of Jesus’ clothing. She is healed and Jesus feels power to heal go out of him.                                                                                                                                   
“Who touched me?”  Jesus wants to know!                                                                                                                                

Healing is not something automatic, something bereft of the interaction of a caring human relationship. It is interpersonal.   

Jesus wants to take the healing experience of the woman to a deeper level, to the level of her true dignity! 

When she comes trembling toward Jesus, he addresses her with a title of true dignity. He calls her ‘Daughter!  

Jesus states his relationship with the woman and in doing so restores the inner dignity and worth of her own person! This is even more important than her physical healing.

The party continues to the house of Jairos, where they learn the daughter has died. 

What does Jesus say to the Father? Fear is useless! What is needed is trust! 

‘Jairos, trust your prayer and request of me!’                                            

In that statement of Jesus, do we hear a word of advice to each one of us?  We are meant to!

Jesus takes the girl by the hand and raises her up; she walks and Jesus tells the parents to give her something to eat. He wants her to grow up to be a woman.

What about us?

Do we know this Jesus -- His keenness to help, his wise advise, His caring attitude?

Do we know him?

Do we know our own needs? Can we approach him in prayer and faith as these two ordinary people did? 

We too want to live and know our true dignity, don’t we!   

Fear is useless! What is needed is trust and true grit!