Abiding Challenge Day 5. Daughter

DWELL. LUKE 8:40-56
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.

As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’

While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for 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 he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

REFLECT

I have three sons. I don't know what its like to have a daughter, but this story has always been inspiring to me.  Maybe its because I know that women and young girls are still mistreated, abused, and neglected in may parts of the world.  Women's rights are not protected.  Women still make less money than their male counterparts.  60% of people in poverty in the U.S. are women; 60% of children in poverty are in single-mother households.  Violence against women is a global problem that includes the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, physical abuse, and the trafficking of minors.  1,000 women die everyday from complications with pregnancy and childbirth.   The highest growing population of incarcerated people in the U.S. are women; over 1 million women are under the heel of the criminal justice system.  2/3 of them for nonviolent, drug-related crimes.   There is still deep misogyny in the world, that makes women and girls more vulnerable and disadvantaged.    

In the gospel story, a Father seeks out Jesus the healer to save his dying daughter. She is 12 years old girl, just before the age of marriage and fertility in that culture. She may never become a mother.  On the way, another woman approaches Jesus the healer.  She has suffered for 12 years with non-stop bleeding.  In that culture, she was unclean and unable to participate in the rituals of marriage or religious blessing as a result of her illness.  12 years connects this girl and this woman.  Bleeding was a sign of death.  This girl was dying too soon.  Without intervention, neither of these two women would experience the joy and love of motherhood.    

Jairus seeks out Jesus in desperation.  And Jesus goes with him. On the way, an interruption prevented Jesus from attending to the girl sooner.  The woman touched Jesus and she is healed.  He pauses to address the loss of power he feels in his body.  She confesses that she touched him.  And he says, "Daughter, your faith has made you well."  He credits her with faithfulness and identifies her as a daughter.  A woman, whose illness detached her from the family of faith and denied her status as a daughter of Abraham, is restored to full health and community life---including the possibility of marriage and family.  Jesus proceeds to Jairus' house only to confront the power of death.  Jesus challenges the family to let go of the power of fear and embrace the power of faith. He speaks to the girl, commanding her to get up.  And she does!  

God is acquainted with human vulnerability.  Jesus confronts the injustice of misogyny by healing these daughters. As Mother's day approaches this weekend, we give thanks for the gift of girls, daughters, mothers, and the women who give life to us all. And we are mindful of the pain of infertility and the threat of breast and cervical cancers.       

Pop singer John Mayer sings a song called "Daughters."  He says, "Fathers be good to your daughters; daughters will love like you do; Girls become lovers who turn into mothers, so mothers be good to your daughters too."     

PRAY

Mothering God, you carry us, feed us, and protect us like a hen cares for her chicks. We pray for girls and women around the world; especially those who are vulnerable and need your saving power to give healing and life. Provide for their protection and health.  Give them dignity, hope, and opportunity.  Amen.