Both of our adult daughters no longer live near us, but they did remember their dad on Father’s Day. The younger one sent this text, ”Aww, you are truly the best dad. We are so lucky to have you and your cooking, pointe shoes sewing (she danced ballet for over 10 years) and hair cutting skills. Wish we could have done more for Father’s Day.” Tim is truly an amazing dad. He would do anything for his two girls, so would so many dad’s.
The gospel of Mark tells the story of one such dad, Jairus, who is a leader in the synagogue. His 12-year-old daughter has died and he is so distraught that he seeks out the help of that rebel Jesus. He begs Jesus to heal his daughter. Jesus agrees to go, but on the way they are interrupted. A desperate, hemorrhaging woman dares to touch Jesus. These two women’s stories are now linked in so many ways. Both of them are subject to the taboos around the mysterious power of life (blood) and the even more mysterious power of death. At that time neither a bleeding woman nor a dead girl should have been touched by another person.
The woman with the flow of blood is so tired of being excluded from her society that she makes a very bold move. She slips into a crowd and touches Jesus’ garment hem from behind. She believes that, “If I even touch his garments, I shall be made well.” Her act of faith does indeed heal her.
The woman’s courageous act of touching Jesus’ garment attests to her faith and her own powerful sense of self worth. She will no longer stand on the sidelines and be called unclean. Jesus has her come forward to tell her whole truth. She gets to tell her story and no one can ever cast her out again. Jesus by having her tell her truth welcomes her back into community and attacks the evils of his time that called her unclean. We too so need to listen to the women who have been silenced and sidelined in our time. The shaming and the wounding continues to happen far too often.
Jesus then continues his journey to Jairus’ daughter, even though others say not to bother as she is already dead. He pushes through the mourners and the neighbors bringing casseroles. He gently takes her by the hand and says to her “Rise up”. Rise up she does, this girl who is on the cusp of adulthood. Yes, because of her father’s persistent love she too can rise up to all that awaits her.
I give thanks for all the men who are willing to hear and be touched by the truth women have to share. Together we rise to the dance of life and sometimes we wear pointe shoes whose ribbons were sewn on by our dads.
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