Today’s Gospel story is made up of two distinct stories but they both seem to be conveying the same message – transformation from death to life.

The story is about two women whose lives were drastically transformed; in fact we can say they were dead. I’m always impressed when people who have been through difficult times share their stories of the journeys to wholeness.

Just as their determination and grit enable them to experience a renewed life, so too, do their sharing inspire others and give them hope that their lives too can be transformed.

I remember not too long ago a recovering drug addict sharing publicly his journey from “death to life”. He described in detail his “death” experience and how finally he came to the point where he admitted to himself that he had to change.

His sharing had a tremendous impact on those who heard it, especially those who were struggling for years to overcome a similar situation that was depriving them of life.

In the first story, the woman initiates her own healing; she consciously works out her plan, she thinks it out before, “if I can touch even his clothes, I shall be well again”.

She is determined to be healed and nothing is stopping her this time. She feels in herself that she is cured of her complaint once she accomplishes the task of touching his garment.

The woman takes control here; she had suffered enough and was prepared to make the change. It was only after she is healed that Jesus realises that “power had gone out of him” and he congratulates her saying, “your faith has restored you to health”.

When have we too taken control of a situation that seemed impossible and discovered that change was possible, and that we were the only ones who could initiate the change and with faith make it happen?

In the second story, though similar, the movement is different. The child’s father brings Jesus to her. He recognises right away that the child “is not dead but asleep” and he takes her by the hand and tells her to get up.

The little girl gets up at once and he tells them to give her something to eat. Here, Jesus is the life-giver; he takes charge of the situation and brings about new life.

Who are the people who make us feel we are worth something, who tell us all is not lost and encourage us to keep on trying, that we can make it if we try?

These two stories also remind me of the experience of our Soca Warriors. As a nation we were asleep for a long time, some thought we were dead but the “Warriors” came and revived our nationalism, they took us by the hand and said, “I tell you to get up.”

The people got up at once and began to walk about and raise their flags and wear their colours, for now they have re-discovered themselves. They have seen what possibilities there are when people unite and share a common goal. The victory is sweet.

We are not just individuals but a nation. We thank the “Warriors” for transforming our nation, and renewing the lives of the people.

Lord, I thank you for teachers who do not give up on any child as being unable to learn. Continue to teach them how to take the child by the hand and say, “little child, I tell you, get up”

Lord, there are people who are not aware that they transform lives by their good example, by being good role models or by sharing how they overcame difficult situations on their journey.

Lord, we thank you for them and pray that they will always be an inspiration for others so that the “sick” can have the courage to say, “If I can touch even his clothes, I shall be well again.”

Lord, we remember women’s groups whose main purpose is to bring about the liberation of the human person and to break down all unjust structures. Like you, Jesus, the organisers of these groups know that these women “are not dead but asleep”.

Teach them how to take these women by the hand and say, “Talitha kum!” so that they can get up and walk about as transformed persons, empowered and confident to live their lives as signs of God presence among us.

Lord, the Soca Warriors have brought new life to our country; people are still talking about how they have united our people. Lord, we pray that collectively we will do all in our power and with your grace to sustain the nationalism and unity we have experienced.

Help us not to be afraid to take one another by the hand and say, “I tell you to get up”.

Bernadette Salandy retired from primary school teaching last year. She is a parishioner of St Anthony’s, Petit Valley and a proof-reader of the Catholic News.