Mark 5:28
"If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Readings for Sunday: Wisdom, 2nd Corinthians, Mark
Reflection:
Today’s Gospel story is an example of what some scripture scholars call a “Markan sandwich.”We have the story of the woman afflicted with a hemorrhage in between the two halves of the story of the little girl who died and was brought back to life by Jesus. What links the two stories is the number 12: the little girl was twelve years old, and the woman had a hemorrhage for 12 years. One story enlightens the other.
In the case of the woman with the hemorrhage; such a flow of blood would have made her ritually impure and unable to participate in the life and activities of the temple and synagogue. Effectively, she was spiritually “dead” for twelve years.
Yet, Jesus fulfills the entire law of the covenant, including the laws covering ritual purity. Thus, when the woman touched him, he should have become ritually impure himself, but he did not as he cured her. When he touched the dead body of the little girl, he likewise would have become ritually impure, but he did not, as she lived.
In the end, it is a question of faith in Jesus Christ; faith leads to life and purity of heart. We need to be like the woman and be willing to merely touch his cloak.
Reflection Questions
- Where do you need to grow in purity of heart? What are the areas of sin in your life that require Jesus’ healing?
- Where are you in your faith journey; do you really trust in Jesus and his power to liberate you from everything that holds you back?
- How long has it been since you have been to confession? A year, twelve years, or more?