Just a word...Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time...June 30, 2024
“Bidden or unbidden, God is present.” This quote in the Latin is the epitaph on the tombstone of the great psychologist Carl Jung, essentially reminding the reader of the Ignatian principle that God is in all things, and is everywhere.
Our gospel today presents us with two daughters who were in need of an encounter with the ever-present God, with God in human form, Jesus. The daughter of the synagogue official Jairus is dying, and her father petitions Jesus to make her well. While on the way to the official’s house, Jesus’ cloak is touched by a woman who has been hemorrhaging for twelve years, a woman who believes that if she as much as touches Jesus’ clothing, she will be cured. Jesus, aware that power had gone out from him, calls the woman “daughter” and commends her faith. While resuming the walk to the house of Jairus, the group is informed that the little girl has died. Undaunted, Jesus proceeds, saying that she is merely asleep. He takes her hand, raises her up and asks for her to be given something to eat. Those who witnessed both healings were astounded.
The Book of Wisdom tells us that God did not make death. God is God of the living, forming us humans in God’s image and likeness, to be imperishable, and desiring wholeness for us even more than we do ourselves. During his lifetime, Jesus lived this pursuit of wholeness for others with his protection, healing and restoration of human lives. As Christians, as followers of Jesus, we are to cooperate with God in the unfolding of God’s reign. That includes emulating Jesus’ protection, healing and restoration of life, as far as we are able.
How’s that working so far? Do we not witness division at every level of life? Is not gun violence completely out of control? Are not our brothers and sisters hungry, homeless, victims of racism and hatred? How are we to call ourselves Christians if we do not do all that we can to help others achieve wholeness, to pursue the fullness of life that we ourselves long for?
It seems to me that it begins here, in this parish. In fact, I believe it has already begun. We do not all agree on solutions, but we can agree on the problems. We cannot solve all the problems but we can make inroads. We cannot feed the world but we can plant gardens and collect food to support the efforts of the Merton Center. We can’t make violence and hatred disappear, but we can model tolerance and acceptance, while working for justice and peace. We can try harder to live what we believe in ways that influence those in our circles. We can live more intentionally, more aware of the consequences of our actions and choices. We can make small changes that can have great effects. And if we do all these things, perhaps the God who is everywhere, the Jesus who heals and restores, and the Spirit who breathes new life into being, will handle the rest. And wouldn’t that be astounding?