We’re all equally important…
We’re all equally important…
Today’s gospel narrative involves two persons of two entirely different social backgrounds. The first one is named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. By all accounts, he is an important man in Capernaum. In contrast to Jairus, the woman who is the center of the second miracle is unnamed, a Jane Doe, so to speak. She is described as a bleeding woman, suffering from a hemorrhage or perhaps vaginal bleeding from fibroids. By all accounts, she is anonymous, a woman without a name, a nobody. In contrast to Jairus, her affliction is rather slight. Jairus’ daughter was dying, whereas Jane Doe is merely suffering from an annoying ailment. So Jairus is a male of some social status and his position is one of honor while Jane Doe is a person of low social status in a Jewish community. Because of her hemorrhage, she is also considered ritually unclean and she conveys this uncleanness to whatever and whomever she touches. Her condition is shameful. That is what motivates her indirect approach from behind Jesus. She must not be seen touching anything or anybody.
The remarkable thing about Jesus in treating these two people is that he does it with exactly the same degree of care and solicitude. In his eyes, they are both worthy of his undivided attention. Jesus is as concerned about the minor malady of the unnamed Jane Doe whom he calls “daughter” at one point, as He is about the critical condition of Jairus’ little girl. His love is universal. Every person is important to him.
He is the Good Shepherd who calls his sheep by name. Jesus has come to save individual persons, people like you and me, people with a name, a face and a story. Many of us feel socially unimportant. Or people don’t consider us important. If we die tomorrow, our death would probably be mentioned in a short obituary in the local news but probably nothing in the national or international news. But for God, that does not really matter.
In God’s eyes, each of us is so precious and unique that he sent his own beloved Son to die for each of us. If I had been the only sinner in this universe, Jesus would still have died for me. What God thinks about us is revealed to us though the prophets. Listen to what he says through Isaiah: “I have called you by name: you are mine… you are precious in my eyes and glorious.” (Isaiah 43:1-4) Through the Prophet Jeremiah, God tells us: “I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3)