Talitha kuom

Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus
(Mark 5:21-43)
...
One of the synagogue officials,
named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
"My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live."...
...
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
....
/

As my youngest son was hospitalized early this week, today's Gospel story of Jarius and his daughter gives me more reason to reflect. If someone you love is desperately ill and in need of healing, you do what Jarius did. Drop everything else, set aside all concerns, swallow your pride, and go to Jesus. Jarius was the leader of the local synagogue, a position of no minor importance. He was known as a man who could get things done, but against the serious illness of his daughter, he was helpless and powerless. He knowingly risked the contempt of his peers by approaching Jesus for help.

It was not only Jarius' daughter that was healed. Jarius was cured himself, as his faith prepared him to be healed in spirit. Now he can see.