As preached by Brother Luke
Holy Wisdom Church
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
It is a common sight to see people enter an Orthodox church, approach an icon of Christ and then bend over and reach down to touch the ground before kissing the icon. The individual will often be offering a prayer at the same time. For people who are new to the Orthodox church, this pious act may be mysterious and even perplexing. These actions may very well be traced back to historic cultural customs in various societies. However, they also have a scriptural pedigree that is on display in today's gospel reading.
Notice what Jairus, the president of the synagogue, does as he approaches Jesus: "He fell at Jesus' feet and pleaded with him to come to his house." [LK8:41] And as Jesus was walking toward Jairus' house, he encounters another person seeking healing from him and the evangelist relates that: "The woman came forward trembling, and falling at his feet explained in front of all the people why she had touched him." [LK8:47]
We have on display next to the Golgotha an icon of Christ that is known as "Extreme Humility" and it is the image connected to Jesus' passion. We often say that Jesus, by his life, passion and death, modeled for us a way of being that runs contrary to that which is expected in modern society. After all, popular culture is all about self expression and self promotion, the current understanding of the idea of freedom. Humility, not to mention "extreme humility," are not part of our modern lexicon. And yet this is what Jesus modeled to us.
Jesus humility goes beyond any physical posture or expression. In both healings in today's gospel Jesus does not take credit for anything and does not point to himself as savior. What he does say to the woman with the hemorrhage is: "Your faith has saved you, go in peace." [LK8:48] When word of Jairus' daughter's passing reaches Jesus, he says to Jairus: "Do not be afraid, only have faith and she will be saved."[LK8:50].
Once the healing has taken place, he cautions Jairus and his family, as he does so often in the gospels, not to tell others what has happened. [LK8:56] His goal is not self promotion, but rather to teach, by example, those who come to him, what faith looks like. Over and over he encourages people: "Do not be afraid. Only have faith."
It's a hard call when tragedy is on one's doorstep. The individuals in today's gospel will live, but they will also die, as will we all. When Jesus' says "only have faith, do not be afraid," he is teaching us about more than just this life. It is about life eternal. Is is faith in the resurrection. A faith that transcends any earthly sorrow. It is the ultimate joy that brings us through sorrow to a place that abolishes all sorrow. It is why Isaiah says to us: "Do not fear." [Is41:13] It is the gospel St Paul preached. It is the lifeline we receive in Holy Communion. It is why we are Christians.
Glory be to Jesus Christ
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