On Sabbath, July 19, a Women's Ministries meeting was held at the Adventist church in Sesto San Giovanni for women from the Adventist communities in northern Italy, and they attended in large numbers. The day was warm, and the gift of a fan for the occasion was much appreciated.
Our guests were Women's Ministries (WM) Director for the Italian Union, Pastor Abigaela Trofin, and the WM liaison for the north, Monica Carrozzi, from the church in Novara. With greetings from Pastor Eugen Havresciuc, we began the meeting on the theme “We talk about you.”
Some women shared their deep and touching experiences, urging other sisters in the faith to tell about important moments in their lives in an emotional atmosphere of understanding and prayer, as well as a few tears. It was a Sabbath filled with music, thanks to Amos Lo Iacono and others. The morning and afternoon workshops allowed us to get to know each other better and to pray for each other.
The message of Pastor Trofin touched the hearts of each of us. She spoke of the resurrection of the daughter of Jairus in Mark's Gospel and then of her experience as a woman and mother praying for her son, kneeling before God, asking for compassion. And the Lord answered her prayer at the most vulnerable time of her life. To us, too, the Lord extends his invitation, “Talitha koum!” (Mark 5:41). Arise, live your faith and hope to the full.
The words Talitha koum still resonate with great force today and can be actualized in several ways.
1. Resurrection and rebirth. The most obvious meaning is the hope of rebirth. This refers not only to a physical resurrection after death, but also to a spiritual or existential rebirth. How often do we feel “dead” inside, burdened by sadness, despair, or a sense of failure? Jesus' phrase can be seen as an invitation to get up, to come out of our inner “death,” to find the courage to begin again. It is a message of hope that urges us not to give up, to believe that a new beginning is always possible.
2. Recognition of dignity. In the context of Mark's Gospel, Jesus addresses a young girl, often considered of lesser importance in the society of her time. His action not only brings her back to life but restores her dignity, value, and a future. Today, Talitha koum can be a reminder for us to recognize and defend the dignity of every person, especially those who are the most vulnerable, marginalized, or considered "invisible." It is a call not to lose sight of anyone and to treat every human being with respect and love.
Our day ended with refreshments, many hugs, and a goodbye until the next meeting.
According to a report by Tiziana Frezzotti and Abigaela Trofin