13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, B
HEALING
TOUCH
We believe in the “healing touch.” Jesus
practiced healing by laying his hands on sick people. He ministered by gently
touching the possessed, by embracing the dispossessed. Here is a God who was not hesitant to
come close to his people.
In the gospel, what I find amusing is the
other “healing touch” here described. The sick woman also “touched” the end of
Jesus’ robe. I believe this is also a healing touch. When the woman did what
she did, power flowed into her life from its source, the Lord.
In some way, Jairus, the father of the sick
girl, also touched Jesus, touched his heart. When he came to plead for help, he
touched the Lord even before Jesus touched his daughter and raised her to new
life.
Yes, Jesus touches us. But the Good News is
that we can also touch the Lord! When we approach him, pray to him, listen to
him, beg him, follow him, we are touching God. What is there in that touch?
There is faith, conviction, belief, trust and confidence in his love for us.
By “touching” Jesus, we say: Lord, I
believe in you! You alone can help
me now! Make me whole again. Listen to my prayer. Come to my life!
We see so many Catholics touching and
wiping and kissing holy images in church. But the real essence of this touch is
in the faith that puts our lives at the disposal of God.
This week, let us not be afraid to touch
the Lord. He wants to touch us too.
let us shake off our fear, our shame, our hesitation, our doubts. Just reach
out in faith and receive the power that heals, as the woman felt, and the power
that raises to new life, as the young girl powerfully experienced.
