A miracle and an encounter with Jesus
Reflections on the readings for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 27, 2021): WIS 1:13-15;2:23-24; PS 30:2,4,5-6,11,12,13;2 COR 8:7,9,13-15; MK 5:21-43
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
“He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”” (Mark 5:34).
In the Gospel reading today from St. Mark we meet two people in need of healing. Mark wraps one story within the other so we are more keenly aware of what Jesus’ miracles have in common. In His encounter with the woman who has suffered from hemorrhages for 12 years, Christ finds someone who is desperate for help yet filled with hope. In all those miserable years she had seen doctor after doctor and spent all her money to no avail. Now she sees Jesus whom she clearly knows by reputation. This was her chance to be cured. But, since her community considered her untouchable because of her bleeding, she did not want to ask for His healing touch. So in her mixture of faith and fear, she thought that touching our Lord’s cloak would be enough. And it was – almost. The bleeding stopped, but Jesus, who knew exactly what had happened, wanted a real encounter with her. “He looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told Him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction’” (Mark 5:32-34).
This woman had endured more than a decade of feeling both physical pain and the anguish of being shunned by her neighbors. Now Christ wants her to understand that her faith matters – her trust in the Father and in the Son, even if she does not totally grasp who He is. He offers her redemption and peace. He offers her Himself. That is what this suffering woman, this loyal daughter of God receives. And this is the gift that Christ offers to each of us. Like her, let us kneel before Him revealing our true selves, thanking Him for His mercy, and embracing His life-changing love.
