Beloved Daughters

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhages stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’ While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. Luke 8:40-56

It is remarkable how tender Jesus was with women, and curious how many of his male followers are not. In this story we see both a desperate father in Jairus and the faithfulness of the suffering widow. They were both beloved daughters of our Creator, as all women are. The hard truth is that women are very rarely treated as beloved daughters. Some treat women as princesses and queens, which they ae not. Others treat women as slaves and useful servants, deserving punishment and abuse. And sometimes, because of our culture, women themselves turn on one another and are cruel and unkind. Jesus did none of those things and neither should we. We should treat all people as beloved children of God and all women as beloved daughters.

Wondrous Creator, you made us your children

in many genders and expressions and languages

we are yours from the beginning of our lives

and we are called home by you to live forever.

Too often, culture and custom destroy relationships

we act as if some are superior and some worthless

we treat the refugees and the poor as rubbish

and demean us all by our sour and unkind ways.

Let us again be your beloved children

siblings all who are each known by name

take away our broken places and heal us

so we might lift up others suffering now. Amen.