The Significance of Two people who approached Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirteenth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43*

*First Reading : Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24*

SECOND READING - 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15

*The Significance of Two people who approached Jesus*

*1) Jairus and Woman*

*Jairus*, a man, name is given, synagogue official, one who supervised the running of the local synagogue, had certain social status, rather financially sound 

*Woman* no name, sick person, spent all her finance on doctors with the intention of cure, socially isolated and could not approach in public because of her sickness

*2) Approach of Jairus and woman*

Jairus in a public way 

Falling down at the feet of Jesus, something unusual, because of his social status

Ready to fall at the feet of Jesus for the sake of his daughter

Woman : comes in secret and in private 

Didn't want to face Jesus publicly

Didn't want face to face conversation

Comes behind, not wanting either Jesus or others to know about it 

Just wanted to touch his cloak 

Might have thought - I am too worthless and too unclean to face Jesus 

*3) Jesus' Personal meeting with the Woman*

Like Jairus, Jesus wanted a personal meeting with woman even though the woman wanted impersonal way 

Jesus wanted to hear the voice of woman

He wanted the woman to know that he was interested in her healing 

So he asked publicly *who Touched me?*

*4) The Touch of the Woman*

For the disciples it was common touch, may be by mistake, because of the crowd 

But for Jesus and for the woman touch had a deeper significance

It was a touch of deep faith 

It was a touch of deep cry 

It was a touch of deep trust 

It was a touch for a special purpose 

It was a intentional touch 

It was a divine touch 

That is why the power went out from Jesus' body

*5) Jairus faith was further put in deeper test*

When Jairus came to Jesus his daughter was sick, but alive 

Now the daughter is already dead. In this context Jesus says *Do not be afraid, only have faith*

A tough situation where the faith of Jairus was further tested in a deeper way

The healing of the woman on the way might have helped Jairus to deepen his faith 

*6) The presence of Jesus*

Jesus was present when Jairus and the woman was in need. Likewise Jesus is present in our life when we need Him most 

He does not mind how we approach him. Either publicly or in secret. He will respond to our need 

Jesus wants to relate with us in a personal way as *my Daughter* or *My son*

He relates to us as life giver 

*7) No partiality in Jesus' Approach*

Jairus was a rather rich man, had certain status in that society

Woman was poor, no one recognized her 

The approach of Jesus towards these is same. There is no difference in His approach

For God all are same. No partiality whatsoever

How about me?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*