“Girlie, I say to you, arise!"

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here are three persons in the gospel that I would like to focus on in my sharing today. The first is Jairus. He is a synagogue chief in Capernaum whose position was considered influential during Jesus's time. The story of Jairus is recorded in the three gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and in all three accounts Jairus falls down at Jesus's feet in desperation (Lk 8:41). Why does he do this? Because his daughter is already lying at the door of death and he needs all the help he can get—time is of the essence. This is a very dangerous thing to do because the crowd described in the bible as "almost crushed him” (Lk 8:42). Jesus was surrounded by so many people. But this did not stop Jairus because of his great love for little Girlie, his only daughter. When you love somebody you will do everything to protect that person, wouldn't you? We will be moved to act only when the object of our love is put on the line. This is why Jairus comes to Jesus not because he already has deep faith in Him. Not yet. Remember he is a synagogue chief and it is even more dangerous for him to show allegiance to an ordinary man like Jesus. Jairus puts on the line everything for example he risks losing his reputation, his job, or his career, not to mention, his friends in the synagogue. In the eyes of Jesus, he looks at Jairus with love because of this. It is not pity but great admiration for someone who goes the extra mile for his beloved. Jairus's shameless persistence is similar to the persistent widow who kept nagging a corrupt judge to do justice for her (Lk 18:1-8). If persistence pays off with a corrupt human of finite power, how much more will it pay off with a just God of infinite power. When we go to Jesus, let us do as Jairus did, let us bring to Jesus what we deeply love, for example, our loved ones, our vocation, profession, etc. Jesus will be very delighted to come to our rescue because he too will be inspired by our shameless persistence.

The second is the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She suffers greatly as a result of the misdiagnosis made by her many doctors. We find in Mark's gospel (Mk 5:29) that the original Greek word to describe the disease of the unnamed woman is μάστῑγος, mástīgos, meaning to whip (scourge) with a mástīgos (Strong’s Greek 3148, mástiks, a “whip”). Depending on the context, it is often used metaphorically to describe a severe affliction, suffering, or a widespread destructive force. In another instance, Mark uses the word to describe the destructive force of the crowd. "He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd so that they would not crush (μάστιγας, mástigas) him" (Mk 3:10). It was inflicted upon Jesus when they strapped Him to a pole to scourge (ἐμαστίγωσεν, emastigōsen) Him (Cf Jn 19:1). It may not be clear in terms of modern medical diagnosis, but it is clear that she lived in a continual destructive state brought upon her from the outside. She did what she could to consult doctors about her physiological condition but to no avail. It is said that after spending all that she had in her search for a cure, her situation only grew worse. When she touched Jesus's cloak, Jesus felt her deep faith and desire to be healed. Viktor E Frankl writes in Man’s Search for Meaning,

Dostoevski said once, "There is only one thing I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings." These words frequently came to my mind after I became acquainted with those martyrs whose behavior in camp, whose suffering and death, bore witness to the fact that the last inner freedom cannot be lost. It can be said that they were worthy of their sufferings; the way they bore their suffering was a genuine inner achievement. It is this spiritual freedom—which cannot be taken away—that makes life meaningful and purposeful.

For an individual to be "unworthy" of their suffering might mean succumbing to despair, bitterness, or self-pity rather than allowing it to bring about spiritual renewal. Not for this woman. When we go to Jesus, let us do as the woman did, let us bring to Jesus our suffering and brokenness. We will hear from Jesus the same words he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace" (Lk 8:48).

The third and final person is the little girl or simply girlie (κοράσιον, korasion, i.e., a girl, damsel, maiden) at the moment of life and death. The word arise used in the gospel “Girlie, I say to you, arise!" is used for Resurrection in the New Testament. The reaction of all the men and women at Jairus's house, ἐκστάσει (the same word that we have in English, ecstasy!), is that of the women at the tomb in Mark 16. Lots of foreshadowing to the Resurrection here. But to Peter, James, and John, this is also a prelude to Jesus's Transfiguration which the three of them will have the sole privilege to witness. But for me among all those around the real taste of Resurrection is granted to Jairus and to the woman. The girl aged twelve years who is brought back to life again becomes only a mirror for the woman's newfound life. Jesus becomes more than just the end to her suffering. There is fullness of life after all the suffering that a person may go through. For Jairus, this is his conversion experience knowing full well the true identity of Jesus who is life Himself, eternal life. Amen. Fr JM Manzano SJ