July 1, 2018

13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

God’s Delays are Not Denials

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

At some point in life, I think we could all relate with Jairus whom we meet in today’s Gospel. Here was an important man, a respected leader of the community and yet he is filled with anxiety and fear. He experiences all the emotions that any parent would have facing a life threatening illness of a child. For a few minutes this morning, let us put ourselves in his shoes.
 
The desire to do something, anything to help his daughter moves Jairus to leave her bedside to seek out the Lord. It is very likely that he heard what many Jewish leaders were saying about Jesus: that he was a blasphemer, a dangerous man and that it would be better to avoid being associated with him. It is also very likely that Jairus was also aware of the Lord’s miracles and so he, like any father desiring the best for his child, throws caution to the wind and sets out to find the Lord. It had to feel like the longest journey he ever made. Finally, despite the large crowd, he meets Jesus and makes his plea. One can imagine that he was able to do so because he was well known and respected and the people deferred to him.
 
Jesus immediately agrees to accompany him home. However, Jarius’ frustration and anxiety grew. He and Jesus had to get through the crowd—not an easy task when one is with Jesus! He was surely thinking, “We’ll never get there in time!” Compounding this anxiety was the interruption caused by the woman with the hemorrhages! Jairus must have been a compassionate man but today he had but one focus—his daughter! Would they get to her in time?
 
You have heard it said, “Where there is life there is hope.” But then comes the news that crushes all of Jairus’ hopes: “Why bother the Teacher further? Your daughter is dead.” Jesus ignores the message, the din, the ridicule, and restores her to life. As disciples we believe, “Where there is death, there is hope.” Jesus assures us that death is not the last word!
 
How often we are like Jairus…anxious, wondering, questioning, distraught! How frustrating it is to face what we often consider “divine delays” to our prayers. We ask, “Does God hear my pleas? Does he understand? Does he know me? Is he there? Where is God when I need him most?

The Lord’s words to Jairus are also addressed to us: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Perhaps this reflection I found long ago expresses this well:

The future belongs to God. We can trust that it is sure and secure.
It may be beyond our grasp, but it is not beyond His.
In the meantime,
           God is creating opportunities and outcomes all around us.
So we need to wait for Him and not rush through life.
We need to make sure we are not missing the Lord of today
           by only looking at the Lord of tomorrow.
What is it that you are waiting on God to do?
Is it the return of a prodigal? The salvation of a loved one?
           Healing? A job?
We can be so focused on the delay of a response
           that we miss out on the blessings that surround us.
Today let’s allow God to help us step away
           from the door that has not opened for us yet,
           and allow ourselves to see that God is with us—
           that His delays are not denials—
           and let’s take in all of the good things that surround us,
           and be thankful for all God has done and will do.
Let’s learn how to live in a place of peace and joy
          while we wait on the Lord.