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Scripture Reflection, June 30, 2024, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Bill Miller

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 Mark 5:21-43


The lectionary gives us two options for the gospel reading today. We may hear the story of the raising of the daughter of Jairus unbroken in its entirety. Or we may hear the first part of that story, then the telling of the healing of the woman who had been afflicted with hemorrhage for twelve years, then, finally, the conclusion of the little girl’s story. Had the author of this gospel submitted it in this form to an editor it would have been returned with the critique, “One story at a time, please!”

The two events are very different from each other. The little girl is restored to life after her father has actively sought Jesus. The sick woman acts on her own behalf. In the first story Jesus takes the child by the hand. He reaches out and touches her. But in the woman's story he does not even know who has touched his clothes. Her initiative is rewarded by an instant cure and his words "Daughter, your faith has saved you.Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

Why does the lectionary gives us both for this Sunday? Maybe a clue can be found in the first reading from Wisdom: “God did not make death, nor does God rejoice in the destruction of the living.“ God is on the side of health and wholeness.

We live in an imperfect world and death and disease are a part of it. But in both of these events in the gospel Jesus acts to mend something which was broken, to restore something that was lost.

The little girl is restored to her family. Yes, one day she will grow old and die. But for today she is given back to her family and to life with strict orders that she get something to eat!

And the poor woman who has suffered for 12 years, ritually unclean and unable to participate in the life of her community is restored to health and to that communal life again.

If we are to walk in Jesus's footsteps… where might we mend what is broken, restore something that has been lost? Take a prayerful look at your relationships, the people in your life. Where might you make/bring peace, wholeness?

And the bigger picture? Where might you make a difference in civil society to mend what is broken with your voice, with your time, with your vote?


None of us can do everything but each of us can do something.


by: Pat Schnee

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