WHY DEATH? - 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (6/27/2021)

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm 30
2 Cor. 8:7,9, 13-15
Mark 5:21-43

Why do we have to die? Where does death come from, anyway? We know that death is a fact of life, but in today’s readings, we are told that “God did not make death.” It entered the world through the instigation of the devil, who deceived our first parents into disobeying God’s commandment. Death is a punishment for original sin. But the Lord Jesus shows his power over life and death, as we see in today’s gospel.

WISDOM

God is the Creator of all things. He is the God of life. Death was not in God’s original plan. “For he fashioned all things that they might have being…For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him.” Death is a consequence of sin. St. Paul says in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.”

The first reading sets the stage for the gospel, in which Jesus demonstrates that he is Lord of life with power over death. He wins the ultimate victory over death, of course, through his death and resurrection: “Dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life.”

GOSPEL

Today’s gospel presents us with two episodes, each emphasizing faith in the power of Jesus. One is that of the woman with the issue of blood, who believed that if she would just touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. And indeed, she was!

The other episode is that of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus had been asked to come lay his hands on her and heal her, but before he could do that, word came that she had died. Jesus was undeterred by that report. He exhorted

Jairus – and us today as well – not to fear but only to believe. Jesus raised the girl to life and told her parents to give her something to eat!

The common denominator in both accounts is faith and trust in Jesus – the absolute victor over Satan, sin, and death.

SECOND CORINTHIANS

Our second reading is a collection appeal for the poor. We are reminded that St. Paul had to raise money, too! He begins by citing the generosity of Jesus: “though he was rich he became poor, so that by his power you might become rich.”

He calls on those who have more to give more, so that those who have less can have their needs met, “as a matter of equality.” He concludes by quoting Exodus 16:18: “Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.”

O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?

It is somewhat ironic, but just to be alive is to be reminded of physical death. We see evidence all around us, especially in our own bodies as they eventually break down and wear out. We are reminded today that human death was not God’s Plan A, but is brought about by the devil, sin, and disobedience to the Creator. Thank God the story doesn’t end there! Thank God for Jesus! The Alleluia Verse proclaims: “Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the gospel.” And we can sing with the Responsorial Psalm: “I will praise you Lord, for you have rescued me.”