Commentary of the Gospell

The pain and despair in today’s readings is almost unbearable. Anyone who has struggled with chronic illness or who has kept watch at the bedside of a dying loved one can empathize with Jairus and with the woman with a hemorrhage. In the face of illness and death, it can be very difficult to hold on to faith and hope. The sorrow and burden can be overwhelming and feel unending.

But the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we have to “persevere in running the race” marked out before us. We can only persevere in difficult times by relying wholly on Jesus who will never abandon us in our struggle. Like the woman in today’s Gospel, we need to reach out to Jesus’ power, letting it fill us and strengthen us to go on. Like Jairus, we must humble ourselves to ask Jesus for what we need. Only by reaching past our doubt and pride will we find the hope we need.