Homily on the Seventh Sunday of Luke: On the Resurrection of Jairus' Daughter and the Healing of the Woman with an Issue of Blood (Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov)

Homily on the Seventh Sunday of Luke
(24th Sunday After Pentecost)

On the Resurrection of Jairus' Daughter 

and the Healing of the Woman with an Issue of Blood

By Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov

(Delivered in 1962)

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in today's Gospel we heard about the Lord's resurrection of the dead daughter of Jairus, the leader of the Jewish synagogue, and about the healing of the bleeding woman who had suffered from her illness for twelve years. And since this Gospel reading is very profound and has great instructive and edifying significance for each of us, let us read it again in order to remember it better.

At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!"

But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. (Luke 8:41–56)

This is the Gospel that was read today. And first of all, dear brothers and sisters, it clearly reveals the teaching that there will undoubtedly be a resurrection of the dead, for the Lord raised the dead, as we can see, most of all to show that He is "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). Consequently, we must all with a vigilant heart and sober mind pass through the whole time of this life in anticipation of the General Resurrection and the great day of the appearance from Heaven of the Lord of Glory with all His Angels at His Second and Terrible Coming.

Another lesson for us is this: no matter what situation one may be in, one should never consider it hopeless. Every despondency and despair is an insult to the majesty of God. “Are not two sparrows,” says the Savior, “sold for a farthing? And not one of them falls to the ground without the will of your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear then, you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29–31). And through the lips of the Psalmist the Lord says: "Call upon Me in the day of your trouble, and I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me" (Ps. 50:15). There is no sorrow that the Almighty cannot heal. There His power is especially revealed, where no other power can save the sufferer.

But, besides this, the Gospel we have read today also reveals the truth that in order to receive heavenly help, faith is necessary on our part. The Savior uttered the promise that all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23). Where the Lord found faith, He performed miracles, and where He did not find it, He performed no miracles. The Lord is close to everyone, but only those who have faith are close to Him – firm, living faith. That is why we sometimes ask and do not receive, because we ask without having faith.

Remember, beloved, that the Lord is close to us. When troubles, misfortunes, trials befall you, when it seems that everything is lost, there is nowhere and no one to expect help from, then remember that you have an Almighty Mediator - the Lord, turn to Him at this time with prayer, cling to Him with all your heart, and you will hear in your soul a gracious voice: "Do not be afraid, only believe, and you will see the glory of God" (Mark 5:36; John 11:40). And as the Lord praised the woman with the issue of blood for her faith, so He will bless everyone who believes in Him and say to him: "Be of good cheer, child, your faith has saved you; go in peace." Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.