Tuesday of the
Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)
The two Scripture readings today may be contrasted in an
interesting way. In the first reading
David suffers three personal affronts.
First, his son Absalom has betrayed him (this was more clearly seen
yesterday). Then Absalom’s death
devastates the king despite the betrayal.
Finally, the manner in which Absalom dies is humiliating. The youth, who was so proud of his coiffure,
was found hanging from a tree limb in which his hair was entangled.
Quite differently, Jesus experiences success at every
turn. He heals the poor woman of her
hemorrhages without saying a word. Then
he raises Jairus’ daughter to new life by telling her to “arise.” Finally, he silences the crowd who thought
him mad for trying to revive a dead child.
Faith is at heart of both readings. In the first, Absalom’s unbelief in God makes
him desirous of his father’s kingdom and brings about his downfall. In the gospel both the hemorrhaging woman and
Jairus put their faith in God’s Son, Jesus, and experience great blessing. We should not think that believing in God shields
us from all heartache. But it does
provide us hope. God keeps His promise
of eternal life to those who trust him.
