13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 28, 2015
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the God who saves us, alleluia.
First reading Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24
Death was not God’s doing,
he takes no pleasure in the extinction of the living.
To be – for this he created all;
the world’s created things have health in them,
in them no fatal poison can be found,
and Hades holds no power on earth;
for virtue is undying.
Yet God did make man imperishable,
he made him in the image of his own nature;
it was the devil’s envy that brought death into the world,
as those who are his partners will discover.
Psalm Psalm 29:2,4-6,11-13
Second reading 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15
You always have the most of everything – of faith, of eloquence, of understanding, of keenness for any cause, and the biggest share of our affection – so we expect you to put the most into this work of mercy too. Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty. This does not mean that to give relief to others you ought to make things difficult for yourselves: it is a question of balancing what happens to be your surplus now against their present need, and one day they may have something to spare that will supply your own need. That is how we strike a balance: as scripture says: The man who gathered much had none too much, the man who gathered little did not go short.
Gospel Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
Reflection
By Fely C Santiago
“Daughter your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease”
I have had so many instances how the Lord healed me through faith. There was one time when I remembered it right, I was scheduled for minor operation to remove a cyst. I was already given anesthesia and was groggy. I was already in the operating table to start the procedure. But the doctor could not find the cyst anymore. There is nothing to operate on anymore. So I was advised to dress up and just allow the anesthesia to subside and then to check out of the hospital. Amazing isn’t it? I consider it a miracle.
Another instance is when I was scheduled to leave for the U.S. for a 3-month assignment. I suddenly felt intense stomach pain. I went to the doctor for check up and he advised me to have a urinalysis. The results revealed that I probably had kidney stones that may need operation. I prayed so hard. I do not want to be operated on as I am leaving for the U.S. The doctor gave me some medication. After a few days I had another urinalysis, and guess what? Everything was normal! Amazing indeed! Truly God heals!
This year, two weeks before our company’s amazing incentive trip to UAE and Europe, I was experiencing chest pains. Although I have a strong faith but somehow I also got scared. What if I am going to have a heart attack. But I play badminton, I can climb stairs, walk far, have healthy lifestyle and so I said to myself it cannot be. Then, I also started thinking what if it is breast cancer as I am also feeling pain in my breasts. I started researching in the Internet what could this pain be. I found out the symptoms is very similar to Costochondritis. I am a person who does not take medicines even for headache, fever, or other pains. I just do deep breathing and relaxation exercises. So in this case, I just did hot compress which is a home therapy for this condition.
I also prayed for healing. And I also talked to the pain in Jesus’ name to get out of my body. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can move mountains. I believe in that. All the while I was at peace. I just offered my pain for my sins and for the conversion of sinners and peace in the whole world. The following day the pain was gone! I was able to enjoy our trip in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Rome and afterwards, attend the family reunion in Bohol and CDO. Next week, we are leaving for Australia! God is great!
I have learned to really surrender my life to God. He owns my life. But I also do take care of my physical health by eating a lot of fruits and vegetables regularly. We do not eat meat at home on a daily basis. I exercise. And everyday, I always declare I am strong and healthy and getting better and better everyday!
But the most important health is the health of our soul. Stay connected with God all the time. Remove anger, resentments, regrets. Be forgiving. Let go of negative emotions. Stay positive. Stay in faith. Live a simple life and enjoy each moment. Always have a grateful heart. Everyday count your blessing and focus on what you have not on what you do not have. Build relationships. Give love.
Let me share an excerpt from the book of Bo Sanchez’ Awaken The Healer in You –
“4 Prescriptions to Heal Your Body by the Power of Love, let me go to specific ways of healing.
Here are four things you can do to increase healing in your body by the power of love.
1. Open up More.
2. Touch More.
3. Volunteer More.
4. Accept More.
Live life to the full and celebrate it everyday! By doing so we give glory and honor to God our creator!
Prayer
Abba Father, I praise and honor You. Thank You for the gift of life. Everyday is a miracle. Use me Lord to be a blessing to everyone I come in contact with. May they see Jesus in me. Help me to become a miracle worker and give hope especially to the afflicted. I pray for healing especially to those who are sick. Let me live my purpose here on earth and find meaning in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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