2/4/2014 – Tuesday of 4th week in Ordinary Time – Mark 5:21-43

      A synagogue official comes to Jesus to get help for his sick daughter.  A woman who had been sick for many years and who received no relief from the medical care she received reaches out to Jesus, believing that only touching his cloak will bring her relief.  Both of these individuals were very bold and provocative in reaching out to Jesus.  They reached out through barriers and fears and any inadequacies they felt, and they reached out in faith.  So often our fears can hold us back and immobilize us.  When the synagogue official’s fears are brought to reality when he is told that his daughter has died.   Yet Jesus’ response to him is the same response he gives to all of us: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”  The Buddhists have a saying: “A journey of 10,000 miles begins with one step.”  Sometimes having faith starts with that one little baby step, to step out of our fears and out of the darkness.  That’s all it takes.