13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Sunday 30 June 2024
Mk 5:21-43

“Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him… Some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.””
(Mk 5:22-24,35-36)

Jairus is a name of Hebrew origin (Ya’ir) that means ‘the one who makes (it) shine forth’. In the case of the personality in question, as we’ll see, what shines forth is faith.

Jairus finds himself in a desperate situation: his daughter is at the point of death! si trova in una situazione disperata: sua figlia è in punto di morte! It is remarkable to observe how he doesn’t limit himself to presenting the trauma but, being a good organiser, he directs Jesus in what to do. This attitude already points to the faith of Jairus. But then, like a dart from the blue, undermining this man’s faith, the news of the little girl’s death arrives abruptly and heartbreakingly. She is dead. There is nothing else that can be done! If Jesus had arrived earlier, maybe things would be different… but not now! These are the typical responses of resignation, revealing an attitude contrary to faith. As the story continues, we encounter a tiny word, consisting of only one syllable but with much weight in the syntax, turning this situation of discouragement on its head. “BUT, overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue: ‘Do not fear, just have faith!’”. Even confronted with the fact that his young daughter was dead, Jesus wants to hold Jairus in that rarified dimension of faith. To do this, He encourages Jairus with two imperatives: ‘do not fear’, ‘just have faith’, or better still, ‘continue to have faith!’. Faith is the indispensable starting point for obtaining grace from the Lord. In the Letter of James, the author tells us that whoever hesitates shouldn’t presume to receive something from God (cfr. Jm 1:6-7). The faith that receives is faith that perseveres and doesn’t retreat – just like the faith of Jairus who lives up to his name: the one who shines forth!

Fr. Giuseppe