30 June 2024 - Proper 8, Year B

Theme

The theme of this week’s readings is a reminder that we worship a God who lifts people up out of the depths of their sorrows and pains. Lamentations and the Psalm celebrate God’s faithfulness after being restored to joy after periods of mourning. The church in Corinth are reminded of how Jesus became poor so that they could be rich as they are encouraged to do the same for those in need around them. In Mark, Jesus heals a woman who touches his cloak and brings a little girl back to life by saying, “Talitha cum” (little girl, get up).

Scripture Readings

  • Lamentations 3:22-23 - A reminder of God’s faithfulness to all that seek him. It is good to suffer persecution and opposition because God is compassionate according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
  • Psalm 30 - A Psalm of praise for God’s faithfulness and restoration after difficult times. “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” God saves us that we may praise God and give thanks to God forever.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 - Paul encourages the Corinthian church to care for those in desperate need. He says that they are excelling in faith, speech, knowledge, and eagerness, but their love will be tested in their earnestness towards others. They are to follow Jesus’ example in becoming poor so that others may become rich. It is not about putting excess pressure on themselves, but about finding a fair balance between their present abundance and the needs of those around them.
  • Mark 5:21-43 - Jesus is approached by a synagogue leader, Jairus, to heal his daughter who is at the point of death. Before Jesus got there, he was cornered by a crowd. In the crowd was a woman who had been suffering with hemorrhages for twelve years. She touched Jesus’ cloak and was immediately healed of her disease. Jesus was aware that power had gone out from him and asked who touched him? When the woman owns up, Jesus declares that her faith has made her well. Jesus is then informed that Jairus’ daughter had died and he shouldn’t worry himself anymore. But Jesus says, “do not fear, only believe.” He went to the house with Peter, James and John. He arrives at the house and tells those weeping that “the child is not dead, but sleeping.” The crowd laugh at him, but Jesus goes inside, takes the girl by the hand and says: “Talitha cum” which means “little girl, get up.” Immediately the girl gets up and walks while everyone is amazed. Jesus instructs that they give her something to eat.

The Context

This portion of Mark’s Gospel is jam-packed with Jesus performing various healings and miracles. Each of these miracles can and should be reflected on individually, but also speak to the author of Mark’s intention of reminding the reader that there is something special about this Jesus character. He is not like all the other spiritual leaders and prophets of his time. He has a special link to the God who creates, heals and restores.

Personal Application

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words to the little girl are still recorded in their original Aramaic words: Talitha cum. The New Testament was written in Greek. So then why were these two words recorded in their original Aramaic?

Scholars generally agree that wherever the Greek New Testament reverts to the Aramaic it is because a particular word or phrase was particularly precious and full of meaning to the early church. They didn’t want to lose these original words. They loved to repeat such words and recall Jesus actually saying them. It put them in close touch with their roots as a community of faith. This isn’t a translation of the words Jesus would have spoken. This is the exact phrase that he would have used: “Talitha Koum.”

Often in those first years of Christianity, when a loved one died, the bereaved may have been tempted to lapse back into the old habits of hopeless despair, with endless weeping and wailing. But because of Christ, such despair was now unwarranted - and they wanted to remind themselves of this truth, even when they didn’t necessarily feel it themselves.

I wonder how many times in that first century (when disease broke out, or later when bloody persecution devastated the young churches) were these words of Jesus lovingly repeated? Hundreds? Thousands? I even wonder if sometimes they wrote those words of faith on a grave stone?

We have all suffered immense loss in some way or another. Whether it is loss of life, wealth, health or work. In the midst of our grief, we can take hope that death is not the end. That we worship a God who calms the storms, drives out demons, heals the sick, and brings the dead to life.

Jesus called the little girl to arise and get up, Talitha Koum. I want to believe that Jesus is calling you and me to do the same. I can imagine Jesus coming to us, acknowledging our grief, and calling us to get up, carry on, work through this grief one day at a time. Jesus’ words, therefore, are encouraging in a real, practical way.

How does it make you feel to imagine Jesus saying the very words in our reading this week, Talitha cum? Is there any loss in your life that you are grieving at the moment? Can you find hope and comfort with centuries of Christians who have held onto these words in times of grief and sorrow?

Communal Application

In his letter to the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul reminds them of the way that Jesus became poor so that they could be rich. But Jesus was never really rich in financial terms so what was Paul really saying here? Jesus’ riches were not financial, but eternal. As a part of the Godhead, Jesus shared eternal power and glory with God the Father. In joining humanity on this earth, Jesus laid all of that aside so that we may experience true salvation and abundant life.

Furthermore, Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to follow Jesus’ example. In one sense, I do believe that Paul is inviting us to distribute our financial wealth so that everyone can have enough. This is a biblical principle that God’s people were encouraged to pursue since the beginning of time. But if Jesus’ distribution of wealth wasn’t financial, perhaps ours needs to be more than that as well. Jesus laid aside his power and glory so that others may be lifted up. How too can we lay aside our ambition and power so that the lowest members of society can be lifted up?

I came across an advert for a megachurch’s conference this past week. They were advertising a week of glory and worship in God’s presence if people came and supported. The big draw card to the event? They will be giving away ten brand new cars to a few of the lucky attendees! I could not believe my eyes. I did some research and discovered that this is a real event taking place as I am writing this reflection. Can you imagine what Jesus would say to this?

What are we, as the local church, doing to combat this prosperity gospel that teaches that the more faithful we are, the more we will be blessed? And if we are really lucky, God will choose to bless us with wealth and fame and even cars? How do we live out Jesus and Paul’s call to become poor and humble so that others may be lifted up and experience eternal, abundant life?

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