Each of the four Gospel writers has his own distinctive style and emphasis, and each wrote for a particular audience. Mark, whom we read this liturgical year, wrote primarily for non-Jewish Christians. His emphasis was more on the human, compassionate Jesus. Mark delighted in showing Jesus as a person who understands us and sympathizes with our needs. Thus it is that we come to the two healing stories in today’s Gospel reading.

Our Gospel narrative tells us that Jesus had time for people, both important people like Jairus, one of the leaders of the Synagogue, and a poor, unnamed woman who was insignificant in the society of the time. Mark shows us that Jesus loved with a human heart. Jesus was concerned about the profound sorrow of a father whose daughter is dying, and of a woman who has suffered with hemorrhages for many years. Jesus felt deep compassion for the influential and the powerless equally.

Mark helps us to come to the realization that as Jesus acted through His humanity in His public ministry, so He acts now through the ministry of His Church, particularly by means of the Sacraments. We would do well to remember that Jesus, through the ministry of the Church, has time for us all, the rich and the poor, those who have an important position in society, as well as those who remain relatively anonymous. All of us are important to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and all of our needs are His concern. All we need to do is approach and ask for His help just as the people in today’s story did.