Reflection: Mark 5:21-43

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

Today’s Gospel includes two accounts of Jesus’ healing powers. The first story tells of a synagogue official who was desperate. His daughter was seriously ill and close to death. The official begs Jesus to come and heal her. Jesus did not hesitate. Immediately, Jesus went with the official to his house.

However, in the crowd around Jesus, there was another person who also longed to be healed. It was a woman who for many years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had tried all sorts of medications and treatments but nothing helped her. Her hemorrhages continually became more severe. She was desperate. There was no one else to turn to.

She had heard of Jesus. She also had heard stories of his preaching, his kindness and his power to heal. The woman’s faith in Jesus was absolute. She truly believed that if she was able to touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed. She didn’t need to talk with Jesus. She simply needed to touch his garment!

Thus, as Jesus was passing by, she did just that She quietly and unobtrusively reached out and touched Jesus’ cloak. And in that instant, she was healed! However, soft though her touch was, Jesus experienced power flowing out from his being into another! And he immediately asked: “Who touched my clothing?” Jesus was not angry. He simply wanted to see the face of the person who had touched him and had been healed.

The woman approached Jesus, uncertain and intimidated. Was Jesus angry with her? However, when the woman fell down at Jesus’ feet, he lovingly looked at her and said: “Go in peace! You are cured! Your faith has saved you!” What a wondrous and profound gift Jesus gave to this woman!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jesus would heal us as he did the woman with the hemorrhage? What is the “bleeding” that we are experiencing? Is it a physical illness, a difficult relationship, the struggle to make ends meet or perhaps the leftovers of shame in our lives? Will we come to Jesus and ask him to heal us, and to make us whole again?

I do believe that Jesus does heal us! However, it typically is not a miracle – an instantaneous act. Jesus more likely will heal us slowly but surely. Do we trust that Jesus is healing us, even if we don’t feel it? During these times we need to trust Jesus. We need to believe that he is at work in us, even if we can’t see it or feel it! At these times, we daily need to reach out and touch Jesus’ cloak. His love and healing power will flow through us! And over time, we may realize that we have been healed! However, we have to have complete trust in Jesus and in his love and care for us! Jesus will not disappoint us!