HOMILY/SERMON FOR 13TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY/SERMON FOR 13TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: KEEP ON BELIEVING!

BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa

Wisdom 1:13-15, 2: 23 – 24; Ps. 30; 2 Corinthians 8: 7, 9, 13 -15; Mark 5: 21- 43

In today’s gospel reading (Mark 5:21–43), we see an example of Mark’s storytelling technique called the “Markan sandwich.” Mark takes two stories and puts them together like two slices of bread, creating a powerful connection between them. The outer story is about Jairus, a synagogue leader, and his daughter, while the inner story is about a woman afflicted with hemorrhages. By combining the two stories, Mark illustrates the connection between God’s love, faith, and healing.

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In the first story, Jairus humbly approaches Jesus, falls at His feet, and urgently requests, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live” (Mark 5:23). Jesus, moved by Jairus’ faith and compassion, accompanies him to his home, surrounded by a large crowd of followers (Mark 5:24).

In the second story, Mark introduces us to a woman who has been suffering from chronic hemorrhages for twelve years, causing her immense physical and emotional pain (Mark 5:25–26). Despite seeking medical attention from various doctors and exhausting her resources, her condition remains unchanged, leaving her feeling hopeless and desperate for a solution (Mark 5:26).

Just like the woman with the hemorrhages, many of us face our own “hemorrhages”—physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual—that seem to persist despite our best efforts to find relief (Mark 5:25–26). Her story teaches us that there is always hope, no matter how dire our circumstances may seem (Mark 5:27–34).

With bold faith, the woman declares, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured” (Mark 5:28). Unlike other miracle stories, Jesus doesn’t initiate the healing; instead, she takes the initiative, demonstrating her trust in His power (Mark 5:29–31).

In this moment, she “snatches” God’s healing power, and immediately, her bleeding stops, and she experiences physical wholeness (Mark 5:29–34). Here we see the importance of faith and perseverance in our relationship with God, showing that our bold requests and trust in His power can lead to transformative healing (Hebrews 11:6).

Maria has been struggling with anxiety and depression for years, and she feels stuck and hopeless. One day, while attending a Sunday Mass, she heard a powerful homily about the importance of faith and perseverance. Inspired by the story of the woman who touched the cloak of Jesus, Maria decided to take a bold step and reach out for help.

With newfound determination, Maria approached a trusted and experienced priest and shared her struggles. As she poured out her heart, she felt a sense of release and peace wash over her. It was as if she had “touched the hem of God’s garment,” and the weight of her burdens began to lift.

Like the woman suffering hemorrhage, Maria took initiative and “snatched the power of God” by seeking help and support. And just as the woman’s bleeding stopped and she felt cured, Maria began to experience healing and transformation in her own life.

These women teach us that sometimes we need to take bold steps and reach out for help (Mark 5:27–28). By doing so, we demonstrate faith and perseverance, which can lead to powerful breakthroughs (Luke 18:27). As St. Augustine wrote, “God’s power is available to us, and we can “snatch” it by taking initiative and seeking help” (Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 24.3).

The woman’s healing was instantaneous and dramatic, like a sudden surge of electricity (Mark 5:29–30). Jesus, aware of the power that had flowed from Him, turns to the crowd and asks, “Who has touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30).

The woman, trembling with fear and reverence, comes forward and confesses the truth, acknowledging the miraculous healing she has received (Mark 5:33). Jesus responds with compassion and affirmation, saying, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction” (Mark 5:34).

This miracle raises a crucial question: Did the woman’s faith restore her to health, or was it the power of Jesus? The answer lies in the nuanced interplay between faith and divine power.

As Jesus himself says, “Your faith has saved you” (Mark 5:34), indicating that the woman’s faith was the means by which she accessed God’s healing power. This is in line with the biblical principle that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

In this case, the woman’s faith was not merely a passive acceptance of the power of Jesus but an active trust that appropriated His healing grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). As the apostle Paul writes, “Faith is the conduit through which God’s grace flows” (Romans 5:2).

Faith in God and the power of Jesus worked together to heal the woman, showing the strong link between human faith and divine grace (Philippians 2:12-13). In the words of St. Augustine, “Faith is the vessel that receives God’s grace, and grace is the water that fills the vessel” (Exposition on the Gospel of John, 4.5).

Now we return to Jairus. The “Markan sandwich” (Mark 5:21–43) skillfully intertwines his story with the healing of the woman. This narrative device builds suspense, leaving us wondering: Will Jesus arrive in time to save Jairus’ daughter? But then, devastating news arrives: Jairus’ daughter has passed away (Mark 5:35).

Earlier, Jairus had faith in the power of Jesus to heal his critically ill daughter (Mark 5:23), but now he faces an even greater challenge. Can he embrace the boundless power of Jesus, who is both a healer and the Lord of life and death (John 11:25–26)?

When Jesus arrives, he comforts Jairus with words of encouragement: “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Mark 5:36). A more literal translation of the Greek text reveals Jesus’ emphasis on persistent faith: “Keep on believing” (Mark 5:36, NRSV).

This highlights Jairus’ initial demonstration of faith in approaching Jesus (Mark 5:22–23), and Jesus is now urging Jairus to sustain that trust even in the face of his daughter’s death (Mark 5:35). As St. John Chrysostom wrote, “Jesus is saying, ‘Hold on to your faith, and don’t let go'”‘ (Homilies on the Gospel of Mark, 32.2).

Katie Davis Majors, an American missionary, faced an unimaginable tragedy in Uganda, East Africa. Katie had dedicated her life to serving the Lord and caring for orphaned children. However, the sudden death of her adopted daughter, whom she had cared for since birth, put her faith to the test.

In her book “Daring to Hope,” Katie shares how she clung to her faith despite the overwhelming grief and pain. She writes, “I knew that God was still good, even when my circumstances told a different story.” Katie chose to “keep on believing” in God’s goodness and sovereignty, just as Jesus urged Jairus to do.

Through her tears and sorrow, Katie continued to trust in God’s plan, even when it seemed impossible to understand. Her unwavering faith inspired others around her, and she continued to serve the Lord with joy and love. Katie’s story embodies the essence of “holding on to your faith and not letting go,” just as Jesus encouraged Jairus to do in a seemingly hopeless and heartbreaking situation.

When Jesus arrives at Jairus’ house, he notices people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly (Mark 5:38–39). He puts them all out (Mark 5:40). He then takes the parents with him when he goes in to heal the girl. With affection and authority, he speaks words of restoration in Aramaic, “Talitha koum,” meaning “Little lamb, arise!” (Mark 5:41).

The term “lamb” was a loving endearment, especially for a child (Luke 10:3). In the cultural and biblical context, a lamb represented innocence, gentleness, and vulnerability (Isaiah 11:6, John 1:29). Jesus’ use of “little lamb” (tainē koum) to address Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:41) conveyed tender affection and paternal care, echoing God’s loving relationship with His people (Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 23:4).

It also foreshadowed Jesus’ own sacrifice as the Lamb of God, who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29, Revelation 5:6). By using this term, Jesus demonstrated His compassionate and loving nature, reinforcing His identity as the Good Shepherd who cares for His flock (John 10:11, 14–15).

Immediately, the girl springs to life and begins walking (Mark 5:42). Jesus’ powerful words and gentle touch bring hope and wholeness to the young girl, exemplifying God’s loving care for His children (Psalm 23:4).

As St. John Chrysostom wrote, “The story of the woman with a flow of blood is a testimony to the power of faith, and the story of Jairus’ daughter shows the power of Jesus’ love” (Homilies on the Gospel of Mark, 32.2). By putting these stories together, Mark creates a richer understanding of faith, healing, and God’s love, showing us that “with God, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).

Let us carry the lessons from today’s gospel reading with us (Mark 5:21–43). May we be like the woman with the hemorrhages, who refused to give up and reached out for help. May we trust Jesus like Jairus, who trusted him even in death. And may we always remember that faith is more than just a feeling; it is a choice to trust in God’s love and power.

Finally, as you walk through the ups and downs of your life, hold on to your faith in Jesus Christ and never let go. As St. Padre Pio once said, “Hold on to faith, even in the darkness, because it is the lamp that will guide you through the darkest night” (The Spiritual Direction of St. Padre Pio, 107). Amen.

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