The Message
Mark's Gospel is known for the structure -- it's stories within stories, with interruptions throughout the book. This is the clearest example, with Jesus distracted from healing the child by a woman with a great need. I sometimes picture Jesus like a modern-day athlete, unable to walk anywhere without being constantly hounded for autographs. In those days, everyone would have been crowding Jesus, begging for healings, for miracles, for help. Jairus and the woman here are two examples, and each of them have reasons to fear. The woman fears that she is caught, Jairus fears the worst when people from his house come and announce that his daughter has died. For a second, you can imagine the light in their eyes going out, their souls going dark, as the worst hits them.
But with Jesus, the very worse never lasts. This is the Good News of the Gospel -- that our story ends in hope, that any darkness ultimately ends in light. Lighting the Advent candles are visual reminders that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
For each and every one of us, there are moments where we despair. It may be because we get caught in the midst of something, or it could be tragic news that we fear but hope it will not come to pass. 2020 has brought moments of despair to all of us, and the Gospel message is that these do not have the final word in your life. Do not listen to the voices that tell you that the darkness will win, no matter how loudly they may shout in your soul. Trust Jesus, and our ultimate hope will not betray us.
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