By Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: 2 Sam 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30–19:3; Mk 5:21-43
As I was teaching Catechism to the students of Class V, I realized that the miracles of Jesus are four types: healing, nature, exorcism, and raising to life. Today’s gospel consists of two types of miracles, which are healing (woman cured of hemorrhage) and raising to life (bringing a
12-year-old girl back to life). I am touched by the act of the woman who got healed because of her faith and positive approach towards Jesus.
Today this woman stands as an example and a role model to each of us to follow Jesus. A crowd had gathered around Jesus and followed him towards the house of Jairus. They all walked with Jesus probably with the expectation of Jesus touching them. But this woman walked with faith wanting to touch Jesus and in turn ended up being touched by Jesus; not just by his hands but by his words from his heart: “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction” (Mk5:34).
As we reflect on these insights in our lives amidst the Covid situation, we often desire Jesus to touch us and seek instant happiness without taking any effort to have complete faith in him. We want Jesus to understand our pains and failures and turn them into a blessing immediately by just praying without any faith. Prayer without faith is only a practice, not a prayer. It makes one be known as prayerful, not spiritual. Today is an invitation for us to have faith like the suffering
woman in the gospel to take initiative to touch Jesus so that we may be touched by him. Let us stop walking as a Christian among the crowd and start marching as a true Christian in faith.