“Arise!” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)

Ilya Repin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“Arise!” by Melanie Rigney

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

The king was shaken and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 19:1)

Listen, Lord, and answer me. (Psalm 86:1)

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

Lord, open my ears that I may obey when You call me to arise.

Study

Today's Scriptures present us with a pair of grieving fathers. In the first reading from 2 Samuel, King David's beloved son Absalom dies not in battle, but in a bizarre set of circumstances after the victory has been won. The mood of the king and the army changes from celebration to grief. There is no hope for a miracle.

In the Gospel reading from Mark, we see Jairus, a synagogue official. His young daughter is dying when he approaches Jesus; while Jesus is speaking with the woman whose hemorrhaging ceased by touching his robe, Jairus' servants arrive. The little girl died; there is nothing left to do. There is no hope for a miracle.

Except one happens. Jesus goes to Jairus' home, touches the girl, bids her rise, and all is well again.

And what do these stories have to do with our lives? Quite a bit. In times of tragedy and uncertainty, there's certainly nothing wrong with some grieving and mourning. It's a natural, generally healthy way to cope with and process our losses.  At some point, the Lord calls us to believe in a miracle and to get up and walk.  May we be receptive to His healing balm when offered.

Action

Identify a loss or hurt in your life that you know in your soul you've turned into a false idol. Invite Jesus to show you the miracle.