Homily: Feast of St. John Bosco

Feast of St. John Bosco (Mk. 5:21-43) “Life from Death”

Mark the Evangelist likes to sandwich a story within a story. We might wonder why he does this, but perhaps it is because there is a connection between the stories. There seems to be many parallels between the stories related in the Gospel of Mark today.

First, there are two females who are sick. Second, the number twelve is important in the stories of both women who need help. We are told that the woman who comes to Jesus in the crowd has been sick for twelve years. Twelve is a number of significance. It is a number that suggests fullness. What the storyteller is saying is that the woman who has the hemorrhage has been sick a long time.

We find out later in the story that the girl who has died is twelve. This was a highly important year in a girl’s life in Biblical times because the girl was moving from childhood to adulthood. She has been cut down just when she was ready to get married, have a family, fulfill a destiny of some sort.

We get a sense that the situations of both the women and the girl were hopeless. The woman who was bleeding had gone to all kinds of faith healers looking for help but had found none. She was ritually unclean because of her flow of blood so she had to stay away from other people. In effect, she was alive, but dead at the same time. The girl had been declared dead. The people gathered were in such despair that they told Jesus to leave.

Jesus brings both women back to life. He restores both women to their families. He brings new life out of death. His power astounds all those involved. We can only imagine the joy that the woman with the hemorrhage felt. The revived girl’s family must have been overjoyed as well.

When we feel isolated, alone, devoid of hope, we can remember this story. We can take our deadness to Jesus. We can speak to him in prayer. Very often we will come alive again. We will find the strength to continue the journey.

1.    Do I feel dead right now? What is it that is dragging me down?

2.   Have I approached the Lord with my problems? Have I sought to touch him? 

Dear Parishioners,

           Our Seton Students will go out to do community service today. This is one of their Catholic Schools activities. I heard on the radio how many students have been fallen behind in their development because of COVID. Part of this is because of the isolation they have felt. One of the things our Seton Students have not been able to do is to go out into the community to help those in need. This is a very important part of their growth as young Christians.

          We give thanks today that our children can engage in Christian service. I hear often from a parishioners about contacts that they have had from our religious education students and Catholic School students. It might be something as simple as receiving a card. We give thanks today that these sorts of interactions have returned.

          May Our Lady of Peace pray for our troubled world.

          Fr. Mark