The Gospel for October 12, 2004
Luke 8:40-56
On his return Jesus was welcomed by the crowd, for they were all there waiting for him. And suddenly there came a man named Jairus, who was president of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with him to come to his house, because he had an only daughter about twelve years old, who was dying. And the crowds were almost stifling Jesus as he went. Now there was a woman suffering from a haemorrhage for the past twelve years, whom no one had been able to cure. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak; and the haemorrhage stopped at that very moment. Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’ When they all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, it is the crowds round you, pushing.’ But Jesus said, ‘Somebody touched me. I felt that power had gone out from me.’ Seeing herself discovered, the woman came forward trembling, and falling at his feet explained in front of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been cured at that very moment. ‘My daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ While he was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, ‘Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master any further.’ But Jesus heard this, and he spoke to the man, ‘Do not be afraid, only have faith and she will be saved.’ When he came to the house he allowed no one to go in with him except Peter and John and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all crying and mourning for her, but Jesus said, ‘Stop crying; she is not dead, but asleep.’ But they ridiculed him, knowing she was dead. But taking her by the hand himself he spoke to her, ‘Child, get up.’ And her spirit returned and she got up at that very moment. Then he told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
We are given a glimpse of the "redeeming outreach of God," according to the Oxford Bible Commentary, in the story of the bleeding woman. As an unclean person, she was committing at least a serious breach of etiquette in touching Jesus; yet her faith that something good could happen because of the touch overcame her hesitation, and God reached through Jesus to heal her.
The circumstances with the president of the synagogue are a bit different. His daughter lay dieing, and all he had left was a faint hope that this itinerant Nazarene might be able to do something. The members of the household in which she eventually died scoffed at Jesus when He said that the girl was merely sleeping. If the bleeding woman depicted faith, then here, surely, is its opposite.
Yet with the "tabitha cum" we learned from other sources, Jesus bid the girl to get up -- which she did -- and then, characteristically told the household to get her something to eat. The clue that this was a big deal comes when he instructs those around him to keep the circumstances quiet.
A Reflection
As my wife's brother continues his grace-less exit from this life, wracked with cancer and now diabetes and pneumonia and heart and kidney failure, in the intensive care unit of a hospital, doped up, and on a respirator, I have repeated, "Why, God?" so many times that it is now only a mantra.
I remind myself of the old joke about the shipwrecked man floating on a piece of flotsam who prayed to God for salvation. A lifeboat, a ship, and a helicopter all offered to pick him up, but he declined, sure that God would answer his prayer. After he drowned, and appeared before the Throne, he somewhat timidly asked God why God hadn't saved him. God's reply: "I sent you a lifeboat, a ship, and a helicopter! What did you expect me to do?"
If I and others like me had forced our Government's hand on Iraq, and compelled them to spend $87 Billion in one year on cancer research, perhaps Robert would be back among us, smiling. Instead, I have merely moaned and complained at the waste, the killing, the grieving soldiers' mothers, and the increase in terrorists in Iraq.
Mea culpa. Lord, show me the hem of your garment so that I may touch it!
A Collect
Almighty God, who through your only begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the remembrance of Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
10:28:38 PM 
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