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June 27, 2021

TALITHA CUMI, ARISE, GET UP!

A Reflection for the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
June 27, 2021 | Mark 5:41


By: The Rev. Fr. Hermogenes Verano

Nowadays, the calamitous COVID 19 strikes left and right sending havoc on the world populace. There is so much great strain with pain and anguish causing us paranoid and suspicious. This unseen, inconspicuous and unfriendly visitor is somewhat slowly ravaging our tired and hapless body pulling us down unto our knees to a complete submission. Coupled with issues of indifference and unpreparedness on the part of the government and the community at large, they exacerbate the looming and precarious situations, leaving us scrambling for cure and craving for vaccine inoculation. That is, for sure to temporarily set us free. But of course, worrying does not help, for it only aggravates the already troubling condition. 

The God-given talent and the idea of creativity give more sense in this time of crisis. Ideally, Ms. Patricia Non, a woman in her twenties, started a community pantry in front of her house. A community pantry is like an extended kitchen catering to the hungry people down the street. Well, that idea spreads like a wildfire, not only nationally but also globally. Yes, indeed, we scramble to survive in moments of despair, but God really works in mysterious ways, and we have to abide by Him. St. Paul is correct when he admonished the people of Corinth, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." 

That brings us back to our theme, "Talitha Cumi," in the Gospel of the Evangelist Mark, chapter 5 verse 41, which profoundly speaks of asking us to arise and get up. We are encouraged and inspired by this calling of our Lord particularly in our times of distress. The story of this 12 year- old girl perceived to be dead who was the daughter of Jairus, ruler of the Synagogues, should move us if not inspire us. Although we could say that the family of the girl was economically well-off and with their money they could go to specialists, still the girl suffered the brunt of such malady and was presumed dead. The only consolation was that the ruler of the synagogue firmly believed what Jesus said, "Do not fear, only believe!" He fell at Jesus’ feet and implored Him earnestly. Jesus held her hand and exclaimed, "Talitha Cumi," meaning “Arise!” It could also mean, “Get Up!” Many sources suggested that Jesus was actually calling the girl "lamb or pet lamb." In many churches, we can see images of Jesus coddling or carrying the lamb or sheep. It symbolizes that He is the shepherd and we are the sheep or the lamb. He is our protector. 

Contextually, our situation is not relatively different compared to the time of Jesus. Palestine was essentially a third world country under a military dictatorship; an oppressive society, where everyone was coerced. The peasants at the time of Jesus were born and lived in an atmosphere of upheaval and social discontent. Some could have been better off than others. Approximately 90 % of the Mediterranean population, mostly peasants, were living in a precarious existence. Taxes during those times were very excessive. 

Morally speaking, the expression "Talitha Cumi" should inspire us to not just resign into our rooms and surrender to the onslaught of hopelessness and indifference. We are asked to wake up, shake up, and shape up! There is no use of "licking our own wounds" and being pretentious that nothing has happened. Sulking will not help, but it only worsens the irritation. O come on! ARISE! GET UP! 

 




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