Gospel Reflection

Today’s narrative from the Gospel of Mark includes two healing stories in one passage. The two stories are connected by the “twelve years”: the age of the child and the number of years the woman had been sick; twelve, of course, being a significant number for the Jews, recalling the 12 tribes of Israel, and later the 12 apostles. Both stories reflect the strong conviction that physical contact with Jesus accompanied by faith in his saving power could effect a cure. Jairus’ faith had to be strong enough to believe not only that his daughter could be cured, but also that now that she had died; Jesus had the power to restore her to life. His faith contrasts sharply with the lack of faith of the crowd. The woman with a hemorrhage obtained a twofold healing. According to the Law, while a woman was menstruating or bleeding she was considered “impure” and anyone who “touched” her would also become ritually impure. Jesus publicly heals her from the stigma of impurity.