Nothing Too Big for Him

A Reflection on the Gospel for June 27th, 2021:
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark
5.21-24, 35-43 (shorter)
(For the longer version, see the print edition of Living with Christ.)

When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the synagogue leaders named Jairus came and, when he saw Jesus, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” So Jesus went with him. And a large crowd followed him.

Some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Jesus allowed no one to follow him. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

Then Jesus put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about for she was twelve years of age.

At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

How many times in my life have I moved through it as though I were already dead? I’ve stumbled through activities, putting one foot in front of the other, trudging along and going through the motions. Doing things out of obligation instead of love, and while I may have a smile on my face, deep inside I’m feeling hollow. Surrounded by crowds of people yet feeling completely alone. Feelings of despair can overwhelm me, and I can think my way right into giving up on people or situations. I have felt dead inside, and at times, I have been.


I recall a specific time in my life when this happened. I had thought I was doing everything right. I believed I was a good wife, mother, employee, sister, and friend. I was busy with parish ministries, and it seemed like every moment that I wasn’t working, my calendar was filled with commitments and people, and I was surrounded by people and activity. And then a crisis happened, and suddenly my world became very small. I couldn’t bring myself to trudge along through the activities because I couldn’t even put a smile on my face and pretend. I was completely shattered and broken, and in my humanness, I felt deserted by those who had previously been crowded into my life. I felt abandoned, humiliated, alone and defeated. I felt dead. A few people came around in the beginning and cried with me, but mostly people avoided me because they didn’t know what to say or how to react.


And then Jesus crossed in the boat to the other side of the river where I sat, feeling all alone. I truly thought that I shouldn’t bother Him. Who was I to think I could ask Him to help heal this situation? He showed up in human form, in the person of a loving woman who saw my pain without knowing the details and gifted me with a crucifix. She prayed with me and told me there was nothing too big for Him, and that I should take everything to the foot of that cross. She told me that when I couldn’t go to Jesus, all I had to say was, “Jesus, come get me”.


Slowly, my ears opened, and my heart softened. I became willing to think that the crisis was actually a gift, and that maybe it was even a gift to share with others. I hung that crucifix in my kitchen and started to put one foot in front of the other again. I leaned into Him and His plan, and began to obey as He said, “Little girl, get up!” While it wasn’t immediate, I soon began to walk around with purpose again, and that crisis became a pruning, which resulted in a beautiful, holy, flowering plant, nourished with love for all to see as a witness to His healing power.


I have learned that the Lord will cross any chasm to come get me if I but ask. I have learned that I can call on Him any time of the night or day and He will come get me, taking what was dead and making it even more fully alive. I just have to believe.




Sandy Graves

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