13th-Sunday-Year-B

Our Jewish ancestors in the faith from Abraham to Moses to David to Qoheleth thought that death was the end of life, and existence after death was a comfortless affair.  Perhaps the author of Job summed it up best: “as the cloud fades and vanishes, so those who go down to Sheol do not come up” (7:9).

However, in the 2nd century B.C., under the enlightenment of divine grace, new realizations about life after death began to emerge and were reflected in the sacred scriptures.  The first to be explicit about a hope for an ongoing and blessed existence after death was the 2nd century B.C. author of Daniel, who wrote, “Many of those who sleep in the dust shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.  But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendour of the firmament and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever” (12:2-3).  Within about a century’s time after Daniel, around 60 B.C. the author of Wisdom affirmed the Jewish belief that “God formed humankind to be imperishable”.  This belief is expressed eloquently in today’s first reading (Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24).

This belief and the hope it engendered came to life and fulfilment in the person of Jesus.  Through his saving death and resurrection, Jesus effectively ended what was thought to be the finality of death and held out the sure hope that death is but a passage to never-ending life.

In today’s 2nd reading (2Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15). Paul refers to Jesus’ sacrifice as his becoming poor for our sakes.  Though rich, Jesus impoverished himself, even to the point of relinquishing his life so that we who were poor and “indebted” to death by virtue of our sin might also be rich with him in life that endures for eternity.

Jesus’ power to defeat death and bestow life is poignantly illustrated by the evangelist Mark in today’s Gospel (Mk 5:21-43).  Jairus the synagogue official approached Jesus with a faith that was apparent in his request.  “Lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live”, he appealed to Jesus.  That faith was rewarded by Jesus, who, even after Jairus’ beloved daughter had died and her relatives were mourning the tragedy of her death, raised the little girl to life.

Let us remember the life giving words of Jesus to Jairus’ child: “Talitha koum”.  Jesus says to each of us: “get up”.  Jesus’ words and works underscore that imperishable aspect with which God has endowed all who are created in the divine image.  That aspect, that gift, enables us to celebrate life even in the face of death.