4th Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 1st February 2022

Many families have problems, but David’s family outdid all others. His family dissolved into acts of rape, murder, and treachery. In the end, his Son Absalom rose against him and tried to overthrow him. After a long military campaign, Absalom and his forces were defeated. Absalom was killed, despite David’s instructions that he should not be harmed.

This caused David untold grief, so much so that he could not even rejoice over his victory. The love for his son remainded steadfast through all of Absalom’s outrages and insults, in much the same way that our sinfulness does not destroy God’s love for us.

In the Gospel, Jesus did not have a magic robe. He made it very clear that the woman was healed because of her faith. She refused to be deterred until she had achieved her goal because she believed.

That should be our own model of faith. The crowd around Jairus’s daughter laughed at Jesus when he insisted that the girl was only asleep. Jesus had told them not to be afraid and to have faith. He had to teach them that faith and love are stronger than death. By our absolute faith and our unwillingness to live in fear, we open ourselves to the power of God.

Lord, increase my faith and deliver me from fear.