Thirteenth Week in the Ordinary Time
The Book of Wisdom from the Old Testament reveals the stark contrast between good and evil. God created all things so that they might have being, and He created everything in a wholesome way. Death was not in His original plan. It rather enters the world because of the Devil and his envy of God.

In Psalm 30, the song proclaims that; “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.” In these words, are expressed God’s desire to come to our help and save us. What was disrupted by evil is restored by God in Christ. This salvation causes; “mourning to change into dancing.”

St. Paul in his Letter to the Corinthians, gives instruction to those he visited, that like Christ who emptied Himself for us and made us rich, we are called to empty ourselves for others not worrying about lacking in anyway.

The Gospel account recorded in the 5th chapter of St. Mark is breathtaking. A man who was an official in the synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus pleading with Him to come and see his daughter who was near death. Jesus immediately agrees to come with him and on the way, they are informed that the little girl has died. As they approach the house, the sound of wailing and screaming fill the air. Upon entering Jesus puts them all out and enters the little girl’s room with her parents and His apostles. He takes her hand and tells her to get up. The dead girl wakes and begins to move about in the room. All were astonished.

The raising of someone from the dead is something Jesus did during His public ministry on several occasions. The lesson He offers them and us is that; “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.” The more we place our trust and hope in the Lord, the less we need to fear. This trust can make miracles possible even for you.

Peace, Fr. Robert