When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.
We hear the gospel of Jesus’s healing of two women on the feast of Saint Maria Goretti, a virgin-martyr of the twentieth century. She was eleven years old when she was stabbed to death by an eighteen-year-old man who demanded sex of her. The child in today’s gospel was twelve years old.
“And news of this spread throughout all that land.” Indeed, the story of Maria’s innocence and her struggle spread quickly throughout the world. She was beatified in 1947 and canonized in 1950. (Before Pope Saint John Paul II, canonization usually took centuries.)
As Jesus raised the little girl from her death bed, we remember Maria’s rise to heavenly glory. And we honor God who has “hidden these things from the wise and the learned (and) revealed them to little ones.”
There is much furor today about the oppression of women and African Americans, both subtle and overt, aggressive and quietly passive. The cry for justice echoes around the world as sympathetic demonstrators protest in many world capitals. Although the United States has promoted itself as a beacon of liberty and democracy, its foundation is exposed as the same old violence. Its fireworks celebrate the dominance of white men, and not the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
So long as there are human beings on the earth, they will be tempted to accumulate and honor power. Nor will they tire of defending their positions. They will always find lawyers, admen, soldiers and goons to fight for them. And they will consider themselves victims of misunderstanding and abuse as they complain of liberalism, classism and white guilt. But sneering words cannot stifle unrest.
One generation after another will cry in anguish like the Hebrews in Egypt, and the Lord will hear their cry. For the Word of the Lord endures forever. It is never out of date or irrelevant, and never tires of the struggle.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.