Who touched me?
(Human faith and the Word of God)
At that time there was a woman suffering from bleeding whom no one could cure (rather like our situation today). She had spent all her money trying to be healed and return to her family and loved ones, but after twelve years of illness she was still suffering and clinging to life, until the moment came when the glory of the Father was to be revealed through the works of the Son.
She began walking behind Jesus, afraid that someone would see her because of her illness, for a woman with a flow of blood, like a leper, was considered unclean. But the story of Jesus and the leper had given her the strength and the will to come to him, knowing she would be healed. Little by little she drew closer until she reached him, sure that it would be enough to touch the fringe of his garment. At that time the fringe (the tassels that the Law prescribed on the corners of the cloak) served as a reminder of God’s commandments (Numbers 15:38-40), in other words, of the Word of God. She decided to touch the Word of God, not knowing that this Word had become flesh and was standing before her; not knowing that this Word could not only heal her of her illness but even bring her back from death, for whoever believes in it, though he die, yet shall he live.
At that moment Jesus could have left things hidden and not exposed them, but the Teacher wanted to teach us a lesson: whoever touches the Word of God, or rather whoever is touched by the Word of God, is healed at once. He said to them, “Who touched me?” Everyone denied it, but Jesus knew what he meant to do. He told them that power had gone out from him. And when she realized she had been found out, she told what had happened to her and how she had been healed of her illness after all those years of pain and despair. As usual, Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Does anyone know what Jesus meant? He was telling us that all the miracles and all the illnesses need only one simple thing: “faith.” If we have faith, we will be healed; more than that, we can move mountains from their place. That is what Jesus told us.
Today’s Gospel doesn’t stop at the healing of the woman; it goes on to tell us about the death of Jairus’s daughter, who was also twelve years old, and how everyone considered her dead. Jesus went in to her, and it was enough for him to say one word: “Little girl, arise!” Yes, a second time in the same Gospel, Jesus assures us that the Word of God can heal us of our illnesses and, above all, bring us back to life; but all it takes is a simple human act: “faith” (Mark 5:21-43).
My brothers and sisters, the kingdom of God happens in the meeting between human faith and the Word of God. Our Christian faith is that simple; it isn’t complicated and doesn’t require any effort.
Jesus, how much we need to touch you in these times!
Jesus, how much we need to be by your side!
Jesus, how much we need to realize that you answer our prayers!
Jesus, I believe that you are the Word of God; may your kingdom come!
Prepared by Elie Abou Zeidan
