Do not fear, just believe

February 04, 2025 Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Hebrews 12:1-4; Mark 5:21-43

Mark 5:21-43 intertwines two stories of faith amid desperation, revealing Jesus’ compassion and power. Jairus, a synagogue leader, begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter. His plea reflects raw faith in crisis, trusting in divine intervention when human hope fades. As Jesus travels to Jairus’ home, a woman suffering from a twelve-year hemorrhage—physically debilitated and socially ostracized—quietly touches His cloak, believing that even this fleeting contact will heal her. Jesus halts, sensing power leaving Him, and commends her faith: “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” This restores her health and dignity, affirming her worth in God’s kingdom.

Meanwhile, Jairus receives news that his daughter has died. Jesus urges him, “Don’t fear; just believe.” At the home, Jesus dismisses the mourners, takes the child’s hand, and resurrects her, demonstrating His authority over life and death. Both miracles highlight faith as transformative trust, not mere ritual. Jairus, a religious insider, and the woman, a marginalized outsider, are equally seen and valued by Jesus. His compassion transcends societal hierarchies, addressing both urgent public pleas and silent, private struggles.

Theologically, this passage underscores Jesus’ power to heal both physically and spiritually, offering hope where despair reigns. Faith here is active: Jairus risks his reputation; the woman defies cultural norms. Jesus’ responses—calling the woman “daughter” and raising Jairus’ child—reveal a kingdom where the broken are restored and the excluded embraced.

For modern readers, the text challenges us to approach Christ with audacious faith, trusting in His care amid our vulnerabilities. It calls us to advocate for the marginalized, reflecting Jesus’ inclusive love. In moments of despair, these narratives remind us that Christ meets us with the power to redeem and renew, urging us to “just believe” even when all seems lost.

A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Approach Christ with audacious faith, trust in His care, and advocate for the marginalized. Even in despair, believe in His power to redeem and renew.