27 June 2020

On Sunday, we will reflect on the story of the two women that the Gospel of Mark presents to us (5,21-43): a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years and a daughter of Jairus who was 12 years old. Both are commissioned: “Go in peace” “Get up!” The first woman was physically bleeding; maybe she was also bleeding internally, spiritually, psychologically, mentally and emotionally.

The Book of Leviticus (15: 25-30) teaches us that if a woman was in a similar situation, she was considered unclean. Perhaps, people were even afraid to associate with this nameless woman in the Gospel of Mark. They were afraid of being stigmatized. It is so painful to be marginalized and stigmatized. She didn’t even want to be seen. She touched Jesus in secret. She had no other advocate to speak on her behalf, hence she is nameless.

I’m thinking of someone who is bleeding internally/emotionally, someone who is hurt, angry and dissappointed. The world, your friends and family may not understand your pain and depression, but Christ is with you. We should not be afraid to touch Jesus in His Word (to reflect on His Word), in the Holy Eucharist and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

We should also have some time for personal prayer, silently, in our secret corner, in our rooms; a time to examine our lives, to be able to say to Jesus, ‘Lord it is me who touched you with my tears, with my pain, with my anger, with my dissappointments; please heal me and grant me your peace.’

You are in my prayers. May Christ grant you peace & courage to rise again! Please pray for me as well that I may embrace the peace of Christ, that I may have the courage to confess my sins, that I may be renewed by the Word of God and the Eucharist.