The Readings for this Sunday, June 27: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
1. Healing does not only depend on Jesus
Jesus healed many people. However, no one’s healing depended on Jesus alone. Today's Gospel about the healing of Jairus' daughter illustrates this.
2. Key Words
Jairus, seeing Jesus, fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” This is a very touching situation. It shows the father's love and humility. Jairus was one of the synagogue officials and highly respected. He fell at Jesus' feet. Not only did he ask, but he earnestly pleaded.
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Jesus spoke these words to Jairus when, on the way to his house, he learned that his daughter had died. Jesus tells him what is necessary for him to receive healing: faith.
Now, in this situation, we can see even more. It does not even have to be the faith of the person receiving the grace of healing. As in this case: it was not the girl’s faith since she was already dead, but Jesus asked for the faith of her father. Likewise, in our lives, we can ask for favors even for someone who has no faith, who is far from God. It is important that whoever asks has faith.
“Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” Jesus’ power and the faith of the girl's father indeed led to her resurrection.
3. Today
A proverb says that only doors that creak will be repaired. So, only those who cry for help will receive it. Jesus says: “Ask and it will be given you. Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
