Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - Tuesday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3 and Mark 5:21-43]"Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." "Do not be afraid; just have faith." [Mark]
The Gospel According to Mark, once more, presents us with a "story within a story." The previous example was intended to show how Jesus was rejected by his family and the religious authorities. Today's example shows how Jesus wanted to be accepted - i.e. the response of faith in him.
The first story concerns the little daughter of Jairus, who was a synagogue "official." Jesus comforts the father and dismisses the visibly mourning crowd, who ridicule him. He takes only the parents and the apostles Peter, James and John with him into the room where the little girl is lying. There he raises her from death.
The faith of woman with incurable hemorrhages is remarkable in that she only wanted to get close enough to touch Jesus' clothing in order to be healed. Her desperate situation could touch many in our day who have medical conditions that resist treatment. Jesus' ability to recognize her touch in the midst of the pushing and shoving crowd should alone alert them to his power. The woman was already healed before he said anything! Her faith was sufficient. The two stories demonstrate Jesus' power over life and death.
The power of faith can result in remarkable outcomes, but we cannot always expect dramatic results like those in today's gospel. Can we continue to have faith when we don't receive the results we want? Can we look beyond those expectations to Jesus who tells us, "Do not be afraid. Just have faith." AMEN
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