Why is the death of a child very painful? It is because it is not part of the design of life.  Life as we think we know it and as we think we can predict it, will tell us it is the children that will bury their parents. Hence for so many parents who have buried a child, life is never the same again.

That is why in the Gospel, one would understand the request of the official: “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Certainly, at that point in time, the official realized that no power on earth can bring a dead person back to life. The same with no amount of money can bring a dead person back to life.

When Jesus brought the girl back to life and when Jesus healed a lady who had suffered for 12 years, one very striking message is: always be hopeful. Three things we remember:

1. God is there. When things go wrong, remember that hope is just a prayer away. We pray unceasingly not to change God’s perfect plan but to know God’s perfect plan.
2. Overcome fear. Yes, being in the middle of a storm can be frightening. Yet we have to be strong. Life goes on as usual.
3. Be prepared. Whether healed or not, one day we will come to the end of our journey on earth. One day, the body will return to ash. As we leave everything behind, let us prepare for our greatest hope – Life Eternal.

In this Mass, we pray that we may always be hopeful. God is not our last hope. He is our only hope.