In today’s gospel (Mt. 5:21-43), a synagogue official named Jairus came to Jesus, and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live.” What does this tell us? It tells us that we should always come to Jesus and lay our requests before him and that we should not wait until the last minute before we come to Jesus. Present your petitions to him in a timely fashion. When we are faced with circumstances beyond our control, turning to Jesus with heartfelt prayer and trust is the right response.

While Jesus was on his way to Jairus’s house, a woman of faith touched his garment, and she was healed. We ask the Lord Jesus to heal us of our own emotional wounds, pains, hurts, and health issues.

And while he was still on his way to the Jairus’s house, the news came that Jairus’s daughter had died; therefore, “why trouble the Teacher any longer?” But Jesus, in his compassion, reassures Jairus, saying, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” This moment illustrates Jesus’ deep empathy and unwavering support. Even in the face of death, he offers comfort and hope. Jesus does not dismiss our fears or pain; instead, he walks with us through them, providing the assurance of his presence and power. Jesus can turn bad news into good news, sorrows to joy!

When they got to the house, Jesus saw people weeping and wailing. When Jesus told them that the child was not dead but asleep, they ridiculed him. These were professional mourners, that is, people who have been hired to wail loudly at a death. Jesus ordered them to leave the property because they were people with negative energy.

Next, he took along the child’s father and mother, Peter, James, and John, and entered the room where the child was. Why did Jesus not allow anyone to accompany him inside the room where the child was except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the child? These are people of faith. They are positive-minded people. Jesus surrounded himself with faith-filled people, positive-minded people. Do the same!

Sometimes, however, you cannot avoid interacting with people with negative energy, especially if they are members of your family or if they are your co-workers. Pray for divine protection and strength.

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked. At that they were utterly amazed. We ask the Lord Jesus to take us by the hand and raise us up from our bad habits, sinful habits, illnesses, hurts, pains, and heal us, to raise us up from our individual problems, and to astonish us with his blessings and miracles.

The words “Talitha koum” brought a dead girl back to life. May he also take you by the hand and lift you up from your trials and tribulations, from the burdens of your sins, and from your spiritual slumber.

The words “Talitha koum” are not just a command; they are also an invitation. They are a divine invitation for us to experience the transformative power of Christ’s love, to rise from the various forms of death that may grip our lives – whether it be sin, despair, hopelessness, or fear – and to live a new life in Christ. They are an invitation to let go and to hold onto him in faith. Thus, may Jesus Christ take you by the hand and lift you up from anxieties to faith, to a new life in him.

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus, you are with me. Offer me your hand and lift me up. Speak new life into my heart, soul, mind, spirit, and body. May I respond to your invitation to arise and share in your love of me now and forever. Amen.