Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

TAKING THE FIRST STEP OF FAITH

DO NOT BE AFRAID; JUST HAVE FAITH.

Dear God, we face tough situations and turn to you in prayer, seeking your help. Sometimes it feels like you are there, answering our prayers. Other times, we are left wondering if you even hear us. Help us find the faith of knowing that no matter what happens, you are there, loving us through it all.

When was a time when you felt like your prayers were being answered or not?

Esperanza with her granddaughter, Chiara Fatima Oliver Monterrubio

I too am amazed at the wonders that faith and prayer continue to work today! My granddaughter was born with a critical heart condition. After praying and worrying every day for 10 years for her little heart to heal, it feels that God has answered my prayers!!! The cardiologist just gave us the news we wanted to hear: the girl is doing well; her heart is healing! Glory to God! This miracle has made me reflect on my faith and my relationship with Jesus. Pope Francis says: “Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love…” (Lumen Fidei #4). In my daily prayer during all that time I sought an encounter with the living God, and with great faith I asked Jesus for healing. Over those years, God has undoubtedly revealed his love to me. Jesus kept telling me: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Although her healing is truly amazing, I’m most struck by how through prayer, my faith and sense of God’s loving presence got me through that tough journey. 

Story by Esperanza Monterrubio, Mission Formation Education in Houston, TX

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 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. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat. Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

Jairus comes to Jesus with faith. When all the others around him had given up hope, he did not. Faith empowers us to act when we might otherwise give up. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said faith is taking the first step when you don’t see the whole staircase. As missionary disciples, we don’t see from a God’s eye point of view. Our view of history and the world is limited, but we are called to act anyway in faith to build the kin-dom.

What is that first step of faith that the Spirit is calling you and your community to take to be more like Jesus in lifting up someone in need?

Write a letter or call someone who is struggling with grief. Consider joining a grief or hospice ministry to accompany those working through loss in their lives.

God, you are like a loving Grandmother, filling our hearts with the courage to embrace faith even in the face of uncertainty. May we take the first step forward with unwavering faith, trusting in your guiding hand. Grant us the strength to support one another as a community. Help us to remember that with faith, all things are possible. Make us beacons of hope, spreading your love and light wherever we tread. Guide our steps, O Lord, and empower us to be instruments of your peace and mercy.