Thirteenth Sunday of the Year :B: June 27, 2021

 THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS:                                         'Your faith has made you well'     

First Reading: Wisdom 1: 13-15 and 2: 23-24

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8: 7-9 and 13-15

Gospel Reading: Mark 5: 21-43

   *First reading is from the book of Wisdom. The author instructs us that the Lord God created everything good. He is not the author of death. Humans too were created for incorruptibility and consequently destined to live eternally. But the Devil(evil one) brought death into the world. To overcome death and to gain immortality we must obey the Lord God who is the creator of everything that is existing. 

   *Second reading is from the Second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul urges the Christian community at Corinth and us to be generous towards the less fortunate(poor) in Jerusalem. Paul gives us the example of Christ who although was rich in everything became poor for our sake. Those who have abundance need to take care of those in need. 

'Little girl, I say to you, arise!'                                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. Two miracle stories are narrated. The first one is the healing of a woman. In the  second miracle, Jairus' daughter who died was brought back to life. In the first miracle a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve long years was healed instantly by merely touching the garment of Jesus. Realizing that the healing took place Jesus inquired who touched Him. The woman, although initially reluctant and shocked, later openly acknowledged that she was healed by touching the garment of Jesus. Jesus commended  her faith and told her: 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.'                                                                      The second miracle took place when Jairus, a synagogue official requested Jesus to heal his daughter who was at the point of death. Jesus firmly told him, 'Do not fear, only believe'. Later Jesus went to the house of Jairus and brought the girl back to life.                                                     Through these two miracles Jesus is inviting us to have faith in Him so that we too may experience His healing touch and we in turn may continue the healing ministry of Jesus especially in these pandemic times. These miracles remind us that every follower of Christ ought to be a channel of blessings to others and dispense the healing power of the Lord. Every act of caring and sharing would cost us something. But if we keep ourselves in touch with the Lord , then the power of Jesus will empower us and constantly restore us to His fullness.