The juxtaposition of the two stories in this weekend’s Gospel is palatable. Jesus cared for the unnamed woman who had been suffering for 12 years, who had sought him out. He also cared for the well-known official; Jairus, by tending to his 12-year-old daughter. I can’t help but think of Jesus’ response to the two people in need of his healing touch when reflecting on this week’s Connecting Point question. Jesus was aware of the woman suffering, who with great faith sought him out. Upon touching Jesus’ robe, she was instantly healed. He was also aware of the young girl who needed help, and upon reaching her, he called her from death. We hear of two contrasting figures, one young, the other old. One well known, the other unknown. One sought out Jesus, Jesus tended to the other at the request of her father. Regardless the situation, Jesus responded.
This weekend, we celebrate a small taste of our annual Strawberry Festival. Sure, we won’t be celebrating like we have in the past; there is no tent, band, or dancing; but, there is a celebration. Even in its abbreviated form, this event does not just magically occur. Hundreds of volunteer hours are put in behind the scenes in preparing each part of the festival. Our Strawberry Festival volunteers took into account the great need of our community to come together and celebrate after a long year and responded.
With Jesus’ example and with the example of our Strawberry Festival Volunteers, today may be a good time to ask, “How can I be more responsive to the needs of others?”
