Mk 5:21-43
21When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing [Jesus] he fell at his feet 23and 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.” 24He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him, and pressed upon him.
25There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years... 27She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. ...
35While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” ... 41He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
The child is not dead: Neither is the woman. How many times have we given up on people as dead? We may also have decided that chivalry is dead; so are kindness, honor, and fidelity. Each one must now look after one’s back. To be rich is in and alive. Charity is only for the foolish. For many modern people God is practically dead.
But God does not give up on us. God never leaves us. Every child born is a sign that God has hope in us. Even after we are gone, life continues, and good people carry on the torch. Faith teaches us that we do not die but live on in the afterlife.