‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’

This liturgical reading from the Gospel of Mark recounts two intertwined stories of miraculous healing driven by profound faith. The narrative begins with Jairus, a religious leader who begs for his dying daughter’s life, but his journey is interrupted by a woman seeking relief from a chronic ailment. By simply touching his clothes, the woman is instantly cured, leading to a public acknowledgment of her courageous belief. Despite receiving news that the young girl has died, the account concludes with a powerful display of divine authority as Jesus restores the child to life. Ultimately, the text illustrates the themes of restoration and hope even in the face of seemingly hopeless circumstances.

Catholic Reflections – Do Not Fear, Only Believe

Date: Tuesday 3 February 2026

Liturgical: Week 4 in Ordinary Time (or Saint Ansgar, Bishop; or Saint Blaise, Bishop, Martyr; or Saint Lawrence of Canterbury)

Gospel–Mark 5:21–43

‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’

At that time: When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’ And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, ‘If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.’ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, “Who touched me?” ’ And he looked round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi’, which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking, for she was twelve years of age, and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Key Points:

1. Jairus shows humble, urgent faith

2. One touch of trust can change everything

3. Jesus notices the hidden believer

4. “Do not fear, only believe”

5. Jesus is Lord over sickness and death

Concluding Prayer:

Lord Jesus

when fear rises in our hearts,

teach us to hear Your voice saying

“Do not fear, only believe.”

Like Jairus, help us to fall at Your feet in trust.

Like the suffering woman, give us courage to reach for You. Amen.

Tag: Miracle