Don't be afraid...

On wednesday we have a bible sharing group with a few inmates. We read the readings of the coming Sunday and discuss it.
This week I tried to spend more time on the gospel (Mark 5). Some guys come just to socialize, they are not really used to reading the Bible.
So I tried to initiate them to the Jesuit method, where you try to imagine the scene.
We talked about the father, as most of them have children outside, and even grandchildren...
Can you imagine that father's feelings as his daughter is seriously sick. He turns to the latest prophet in town, whom he barely knows from reputation, he is said to heal people... This dad must have tried everything!
then some people, maybe relatives, announce that the girl passed away.
How tragic! Is there anything worse than losing a child? (I personally haven't experienced it, but it's not necessary to imagine how tragic it is, and all men in the room where really getting the point).
This father just had his worst nightmare come true.

And Jesus tells him " Don't be afraid, just believe."
This is SO bold.
How can anyone dare words like this in a time like that???
well Jesus is not anyone :)

we had a very good sharing time, I really think the people felt more comfortable discussing the text. Some see the gospel as an old book, they liked to be able to identify with the father, it helped make things more real, more tied to their own lives.

the last line also echoed strongly in me. Right after teh little girl rose from the dead, Jesus tells his familly to give her something to eat. He doesn't say " praise God, now trun away from your sins..." Well it's always good to prasie and be thankful.. This part of the story was very meaningful to me because it reminded me of some weird feelings when I was growing up. My dad would be sick and in and out the hospital. When he was back there was a very weird atmosphere at home. We didn't really know what to do, how to behave: is everything normal? Can life really go on?

I believe it was similar for that girl. How was it after the raising? How were her relative around her? awkward? thankful?... I believe it's also something the inmate encounter when they come out of jail...

I like Jesus' answer: "give her something to eat". Yes, life goes on. :)