Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24 - 2 Corinthians 8:7,9 and 13-15 - Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43
The God of Life says, "Talitha Koum!"
Today's first reading from the Book of Wisdom begins with, "God did not make death…". Very powerful words. All that deteriorates, corrodes, and dies is not of God. This passage ends with a powerful warning: "But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experienced it." Pray God to stay out of his company! Succinctly, God is life, and Satan is death. Those and that with which we abide will bear the fruits of the source.
In today's second reading, Paul speaks about equality and our call to meet each other's needs. We need each other. It's that simple. It calls to mind The Parable of the Long Spoons. We can't always feed ourselves what we need, but we can feed one another.
Mark's gospel tells two stories: that of Jairus's daughter and the woman afflicted with bleeding for twelve years. Jesus' ministry of life and healing began then. The woman's bleeding stopped with just a touch of Jesus' cloak. Then, with Jairus' daughter, Jesus spoke these words, "Talitha Koum!" which translates, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!". Another translation used "get up" in place of arise. This resonated with me.
How often has God said to me, and maybe to you, get up! Arise from anger, gossip, ego, selfishness, blame, hate - the list goes on. Our God of life and healing is always calling us to more. To be more, to serve, and to give more. A spiritual journey is never stagnant by its nature. If there isn't movement and flow, then something needs to change. No?
As Paul instructs, supply each other's needs. Jesus' ministry of life and healing continues today, but only if we agree to, as the saying goes, be the hands and feet of God. We have been entrusted with much.
Talitha Koum.
Peggy Roach, Associate