Revd Sara’s reflection. Bible Reading Mark 5:21-43
Today’s gospel reading from the Gospel of Mark beautifully intertwines two stories of
healing—a woman suffering from chronic bleeding and a young girl on the brink of death.
Here we see a glimpse of the messianic Jesus at work: Jesus' power over sickness and
death is made clear. But these two stories also provide important lessons and questions
about faith, persistence, and God’s love for each and every human being. For you, on your
journey of discipleship, you might like to reflect or make some notes on how this passage
might offer you deep insights into compassion, inclusivity, and the call to advocate for those
who are left on the margins.
The woman with the issue of blood, who had suffered greatly under many physicians and
spent all she had without improvement, shows incredible determination and faith. Her belief
that just touching Jesus’ clothes would heal her speaks volumes about her understanding of
His power and compassion.
Reflect on the nature of your faith: Is it passive, or does it compel you to take bold actions?
Consider how your faith can move you to seek healing – whether physical, emotional, or
social – not just for yourself but for others who feel they have exhausted all options.
In these stories, Jesus does not hesitate to break down social and religious barriers. He
publicly acknowledges the woman, despite her impurity according to Jewish law, and He
enters the home of Jairus, whose daughter was considered dead, another source of ritual
impurity.
Reflect on how Jesus' actions challenge the exclusions and stigmas in your community.
How can you follow in Christ’s footsteps to reach out to those who are marginalised or
stigmatised? How can your community become a more inclusive space that affirms the
dignity of every person?
Jesus was on his way to heal Jairus’ daughter when he was interrupted by the woman.
Instead of seeing this interruption as a nuisance, he welcomed it as an opportunity to
minister and teach about faith. This week, consider the interruptions in your life as potential
divine appointments. How can you embrace interruptions more openly? How might God be
using these moments to invite you to participate in acts of healing and compassion?
Finally, the healing of Jairus' daughter is a powerful sign of hope and resurrection. It
reminds us that God's power extends even to those situations that seem utterly hopeless.
Reflect on the areas of your life or in the world around you that seem devoid of hope. How
can the story of Jairus' daughter inspire you to trust in God's ability to bring new life where
there is despair and death?
As you ponder these questions, you might like to find someone you trust to talk them
through with, or ask similar questions of someone else in your church, community or family.
May these stories remind you that God often works through our faith to heal and restore,
inviting each of us to be active participants in his kingdom work, touching lives and bringing
hope to the hopeless.
Responding in music:
You might like to listen to one or both of these songs.
713 STF – Show me how to stand for justice – YouTube
67 STF – This, this is the God we adore - YouTube
Responding in prayer
Think of a situation where you feel helpless.
Take a series of deep breaths. As you breath in, say a name for God (out loud or in silence).
This might be simply ‘God’ or ‘Jesus’ or something like ‘Comforter’, ‘Lord’, or ‘Creator’.
As you breath out, pray a simple one-phrase prayer, such as ‘Help me to trust’ or ‘inspire
me to act’.
Finish by saying out loud, “Thank you God for loving me no matter what”.
Amen.
love and prayers Revd Sara
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