“Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Mark 5:21–43
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel draws us into one of the most moving encounters with the living power of Jesus. Saint Mark presents two miracles woven into one story, and together they reveal not only what Jesus can do, but who He is and how we are called to respond to Him in faith.
Faith That Kneels and Faith That Reaches
We first meet Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. Though he is a man of authority and respect, he does not rely on his position when his daughter is dying. Instead, he falls at the feet of Jesus. This gesture speaks loudly: before God, all human status fades away. What matters is humble faith.
Jairus teaches us that authentic faith begins when we recognize our limits and entrust what we love most into the hands of Christ. He believes that even a simple touch from Jesus can restore life.
As Jesus goes with him, the narrative pauses to introduce a second figure: the woman who has suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years. Her suffering is not only physical; under the law, she would have been considered ritually unclean, isolated from worship and community. She has spent all she has on doctors, yet her condition has only worsened.
In silence and humility, she reaches out to touch the garment of Jesus, believing that even this small act of faith is enough. Her healing is immediate. This shows us that faith does not need to be loud or public to be powerful. God sees the quiet trust of the heart.
Jesus Calls Faith into the Light
Jesus stops and asks, “Who touched my garments?” Not because He lacks knowledge, but because He desires relationship, not anonymous miracles. When the woman comes forward trembling, Jesus does not rebuke her. Instead, He calls her “Daughter”, restoring not only her health but her dignity and place in the community.
This moment reveals a core Catholic truth: Christ heals the whole person body, soul, and spirit. Faith opens the door to grace, and grace restores us to communion with God and one another.
“Do Not Fear, Only Believe”
While Jesus is still speaking, devastating news reaches Jairus: his daughter has died. Human logic tells him it is over. But Jesus immediately speaks words that echo through every generation of believers:
“Do not fear, only believe.”
These words challenge us deeply. Faith is often tested not at the beginning of our journey, but when hope seems delayed or extinguished. Jairus is asked to trust not only in healing, but now in the power of God over death itself.
The Lord of Life
At the house, Jesus encounters noise, mourning, and disbelief. He sends the crowd away, reminding us that faith often requires silence, trust, and intimacy with God. Taking only the child’s parents and three disciples, Jesus enters the room and takes the girl by the hand.
With tender authority He says:
“Talitha cumi” — “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
Life returns immediately. The power of God over death is revealed, prefiguring Christ’s own Resurrection and pointing us toward the hope of eternal life. Jesus is not only a healer; He is the Lord of life and death.
A Call for Our Lives Today
This Gospel invites each of us to ask:
- Do I come before Jesus with humility like Jairus?
- Do I reach out in trust, even when my faith feels small?
- Can I believe when answers seem delayed or hope appears lost?
- Do I trust that Christ has power over every form of death in my life sin, despair, fear, and suffering?
Jesus speaks to each of us today as He did to Jairus:
“Do not fear, only believe.”
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the source of life,
the healer of the broken,
and the hope of those who trust in You.
Strengthen our faith when we are afraid.
Teach us to trust You when answers are delayed
and when our hearts are heavy with worry or pain.
May we approach You with humility,
reach out to You with confidence,
and believe that You are at work
even when we do not understand.
Raise us, Lord, from all that keeps us bound—
from sin, fear, and despair—
and lead us into the fullness of life
that You promise to those who believe.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.