Arise!

February 5, 2008

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

When the Cushite came in, he said, “Let my lord the king receive the good news that this day the LORD has taken your part, freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against you.” But the king asked the Cushite, “Is young Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you with evil intent be as that young man!” 2 Samuel 18:31-32

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. (At that) they were utterly astounded. Mark 5:41-42

Piety

Suscipe (Traditional)

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding,

and my entire will,

all I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.

To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

Give me only your love and your grace,

that is enough for me.

-- St. Ignatius Loyola, SJ

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/020508.shtml

Simeon’s prophecy from the Presentation of the Lord last week begins to be brought to life in the Good News this week. We see two more people lifted up by their faith in Jesus and a personal encounter with his healing touch.

As Simeon said to Mary: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel.” Luke 2:24. Jarius and the woman afflicted on the road both exhibit their faith and they are rewarded. They are lifted out of their suffering thanks to the grace and blessings Jesus freely gave to them.

What made the difference between Jarius and all the other parents of sick children in ancient Palestine? What made the different for the woman on the road? All it took was a personal encounter with Jesus combined with personal faith in the man from Nazareth.

Jarius’ devotion to his daughter – and the fact that as a Roman official he would turn to the itinerant Jewish preacher for help – stands in stark contrast to the dysfunctional jealousies and murder fraught among King David and his family in the Hebrew Bible. Yet once again, we find goodness and faith where we least expect it (the Roman).

David’s misplaced grief over Absalom (who murdered one of his brothers and plotted against the king himself) almost cost the King his throne. David’s life itself was the epitome of both the rise and fall that would mark Jewish history. The only protection against the fall is what we see from Jarius and the woman on the road…faith in their personal encounter with Jesus.

Through these stories, we can reflect on piety and action unified to help each other as well as the broader community. Such benefits of piety and public action are embedded in the story of Jarius, his risen daughter and the woman on the road.

Action

As we get ready to begin our Lenten celebration, prepare yourself for a personal encounter with Jesus. Clear a path for Him by removing all false idols that might stand between you and Jesus.

If Jesus will help us rise above what ails us, then we have to be sure that we can see him, hear him and respond to his commands.

Get ready for his commandment, “Arise.” Let us prepare to enter Lent with a plan for the good works (almsgiving) that we will offer up this spring. Then we can count ourselves among those who will rise with the Lord.