Mission Society of the Philippines

Homilies

13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: A FAITH THAT TRUSTS

Mk 5: 21-43

IF WE TRY to compare the faith of Jesus’ disciples in last Sunday’s gospel with the faith of Jairus and a woman afflicted with hemorrhages in today’s gospel, there is a big difference. The faith of the disciples is more of “cognitive” while Jairus and the woman’s faith is more of “volitive.” The latter is a classic example of a faith that trusts.

First, let us have a second look to this kind of faith. On the part of Jairus, he has a complete trust in Jesus and this can be found in his gestures: he fell at Jesus’ feet and he pleaded earnestly with him with a request. On the part of the woman, she never hoped to plead with Jesus. For her, to touch Jesus’ clothes would be sufficient for her healing. The trust is so total and complete.

I would say that this kind of faith is also in us. Our kind of piety can be characterized by “touching.” We often see people in the Church going to the statues of Jesus, Mary, and the saints. Their prayers cannot be complete without touching them or their clothes. Some people, especially foreigners, could not understand what we are doing. This is not only part of our religiosity or piety, but this is a mark of our complete trust and belief. We believe that this “touching”, like what the woman with hemorrhages did to the clothes of Jesus, could give us some healing.

Second, let us turn our attention to Jesus, the healer. Much of the work of Jesus during his public ministry was about healing. What moved Jesus to heal those people with illnesses? This has something to do with the heart of Jesus. His heart is full of mercy and compassion toward the sick. He was aware of the situation of those people who have sickness. In his compassion, he tried to uplift their life, and to get rid as well of their desperation, by healing them. But the healing cannot only be seen physically. The healing of Jesus is something comprehensive. It healed the people, not only physically, but spiritually.

The ministry of healing has been continued to this day. There are priests and nuns whose ministry is one of healing. There are also lay people who are into healing ministry. These people are laudable because they have imitated the heart of Jesus and they followed Him in his healing with those who are sick.

However, I would say that the people mentioned above are only the ones who should do some healing toward the sick. Let us remember that the world that we live in is a complicated world. Our present world has brought us many kinds of sickness. The physical sickness is noticeable. In fact, today we can hear of sickness or illnesses which are unheard before. Indeed, there are people who are not only physically sick, but are also psychologically sick, and more so, spiritually sick. Doctors and healers can bring physical wellness to the sick. But ordinary people can do something to the spiritual healing of the sick.

What is required in the spiritual healing is our ability to feel compassion toward the sick and our ability to listen to what they feel. Listening to them and strengthening their faith as well would surely bring them consolation and healing.

 



« Back to Homilies Index

  Contact Us

MSP CENTRAL OFFICE
Phase 1, Block 53, Lot 4,7,8, Springfield corner Greenwich St., Southspring Subdivision, Brgy. Canlalay, Biñan, 4024, Laguna, Philippines

or MCPO Box 1006
    1200 MAKATI CITY

PHONE: Landline +63 49 521 8371   /  Smart:   +63 999 798 0581

FAX: (632) 831-9937
E-mail: secgen.msp@gmail.com