Faith and Miracles: Embracing Divine Power in Our Lives

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 30, 2024

Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/3UPm9GFV2ms

Miracles do happen. What we need is faith. Our life is of little importance if we do not possess faith and believe in miracles. If we do not value the importance of the capacity of the omnipotent and omnipresent divine within and around us then we put ourselves as masters of this world. There is no space for other higher being whom we call God. Our life depends on the one who created us. None of us have come into this world by ourselves. We are not born in laboratories or test tubes. We are born in this world to our parents who possess flesh and blood. The readings of this Sunday have one of the most stunning miracles that Jesus performed in his life that is the raising of the daughter of the Synagogue official by the name of Jairus. No doubt we are called to imitate simply Jairus in every day of our lives. 

1. No desperation but overcoming Fear with Faith

In this passage Mark 5:21-24, 35-43, we witness Jairus, a synagogue leader, falling at Jesus’ feet and pleading for his daughter’s life. His position and status did not prevent him from seeking help desperately. This act of humility and faith is a powerful reminder that no matter our status or position, we must approach God with humility, especially in our times of need. When we are desperate, our faith drives us to seek divine intervention. Jairus’s plea teaches us that faith is often born out of desperation or frustration, and in our most desperate moments, we must turn to God, believing in His power and mercy.

When Jairus received the devastating news of his daughter’s death, Jesus’ response was simple yet profound: "Don’t be afraid; just believe." This command to overcome fear with faith is crucial in our spiritual journey. Fear paralyzes us, but faith mobilizes us. Jesus calls us to trust Him even when circumstances seem hopeless. When things don't turn out as we think, we must not fear the absence but the presence of God. We must replace our fears with faith, trusting that Jesus has power over life and death. In our darkest moments, His words remind us to hold on to faith, believing that He can bring life to dead situations.

2. The Power of Jesus’ Presence

Jesus is at Jairus’s home where there is uncontainable sorrow. The desperation is so vivid as one of the persons says “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35).  But Jesus' presence itself is healing. It is life-giving. By taking the girl’s hand and commanding her to rise, Jesus demonstrated His authority over death and His compassion for the grieving. Jesus can come into our “dead” situations and bring transformation and hope. 

Jesus is a practical person. He ensures the risen girl is given food. God works in our lives continuously and without interruption. We must have the readiness to see personal and small miracles that we experience in both the extraordinary and the everyday aspects of our lives. When we see God’s hand at work in our lives, our response should be one of awe and thanksgiving. We must be men and women of gratitude. 

3. The Sacrificial Love of Christ in our lives

St Paul (2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15) encourages the Corinthians to excel not only in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love, but also in the grace of giving. The Christian living must be of generosity, compassion and presentation of God's infinite love for us. Just as we strive to grow in other areas of our spiritual lives, we must be generous with our time, resources, and love. 

Jesus showed us the act of selfless love. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His sacrificial giving. It is good to put the needs of others before our own comfort. The Christian community is built with a sense of equality, where the abundance of some meets the needs of others, is a powerful call for communal care and justice. It calls us how we can contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources in our communities, families, parishes, etc. It challenges us to move beyond mere charity and work towards systemic changes that promote fairness and justice. We pray that we may emulate Christ in small dealings and doings so that we can foster a balanced and supportive community. 

Questions for self-reflection

1. How can I actively replace my fears with faith, especially in seemingly hopeless situations?
2. How do I recognize and appreciate God's provision in both extraordinary and everyday aspects of my life?
3. What areas of my life require me to put the needs of others before my own comfort?
4. What steps can I take to move beyond charity towards promoting fairness and justice?

A Prayer Based on Psalm 30

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart full of gratitude and praise. Lord, You are my healer and my helper. I cry out to You, and You hear me; You bring me up from the depths and restore my soul. I sing praises to Your holy name and give thanks for Your faithfulness.

Your favour, Lord, lasts a lifetime. Though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. You turn my mourning into dancing; You remove my sackcloth and clothe me with joy. I will praise You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.

In Jesus' Holy Name, I pray, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

June 27, 2024