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Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — June 27, 2021

Bishop’s Reflections

June 27, 2021

Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click HERE for the readings.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — June 27, 2021

The crowd was pressing in on Jesus. Nearly everyone near him was touching him as they rubbed shoulder to shoulder. Yet, he only noticed that one person had touched him.

He said, “Who has touched my clothes?” It was a woman who had suffered from a “flow of blood” for 12 years. She had said to herself, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” She was desperate and she believed that Jesus could do something positive for her.

She came to him with faith and, because of that faith, when she touched his cloak, Jesus had felt “at once that power had gone out from him.”

She answered his question, “Who has touched my clothes?” with “fear and trembling.” She may have been afraid of what he would do to her because by touching him she had made him unclean with her “flow of blood” according to Jewish Law. Yet, Jesus accepted her touch and accepted her faith with great love.

It was the same faith that the synagogue official brought to Jesus. He believed that Jesus could help his daughter who was dying. By the end of his conversation with Jesus, people had come to inform him of his daughter’s death. The man must have been very disturbed, so Jesus reminded him of the power of belief. Jesus said to him, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” With that, the synagogue official took Jesus to the body of his recently deceased daughter.

Jesus, the giver of life, said over her, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” She got up and walked around.

A woman with faith in Jesus is healed by touching him. And a man with faith brings Jesus into his house to have his daughter come to life again.

As we approach Jesus, are we afraid to touch the hem of his garment? Do we trust him enough to bring him into our homes to give life to all who live in them? Do we believe in the power of Jesus to heal us and lift us up too?

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

Have a blessed week everyone.

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