The Lord’s Full Attention

The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Readings: Wis 1:13-15 and 2:23-24; Ps 30; 2 Cor 8:7, 8, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43 [Link]

In the gospel today, in the middle of the story about the little girl who was dying, we hear about a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years. Mark writes that she spent all her money going from doctor to doctor, and she still didn’t get any better.

If you’ve had to deal with a sick spouse or parent, or maybe with your own health problems, that routine might sound all too familiar. Sometimes the rigmarole of getting medical care is worse than the disease itself—what with HMO’s, referrals, preferred providers, income limits, insurance forms, Medicare, billing, all kinds of side effects from the drugs or treatments... And then there are the hours spent in waiting rooms, tests you have to fast for but that they are never quick about, appointments that are hard to make and even harder to keep… Being sick for a long time can be a nightmare.

As bad as it is being chronically ill, imagine having an illness that also carried a social stigma—something contagious or physically revolting or embarrassing—maybe something like leprosy or AIDS. That’s what it was like for this poor woman in the gospel.

Remember, she was a Jewish woman living under the law of Moses. The Book of Leviticus (15:25-30) says that if a woman has a flow of blood for several days outside her monthly period, then she remains unclean or impure as long as the flow continues. Anything she sits on or lies on—a chair, a bed, a couch—also becomes unclean. Anyone who touches her becomes unclean and has to bathe and wash their clothes. Can you imagine?

That’s what this woman had to live with for twelve years. She became an outcast. She couldn’t participate in any social or religious or community activities. People stayed away from her for fear that they would also be contaminated.

It’s hard to even picture how lonely she must have been. Can you imagine going for so long without a hug or a tender, loving touch from another human being? Through her illness, she probably felt fear and shame and self-loathing and social ostracism.

The sad thing is, there are lots of people like this woman. They’re afraid and filled with shame and self-hatred. Many are condemned or shunned by others. It may be so bad, that sometimes they may even think about suicide. It may be because of illness like the woman in the gospel… or it may be because of sexual orientation, race, religion or for some other reason. We may call it by different names, but the resulting loneliness and sadness and isolation are universal.

And so: here’s that unnamed woman who pushed her way through the crowd to get to Jesus from behind so she could just touch his cloak. She had heard about him and she had a feeling that he might be able to help her. Mark tells us that as soon as she touched his garment, she knew she was healed.

Jesus, meanwhile—and remember, he was rushing with his disciples and Jairus to get to the little girl’s house—stopped cold, spun around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?”

I’m sure the disciples were baffled and impatient, wondering what kind of foolish delay this was, especially since time was of the essence if Jesus was going to save the girl. But Christ stood there, searching the crowd.

In fear and trembling, this previously ill and desperate woman came forward. She knew that Jesus wasn’t going to move on until she identified herself. Even though it was considered highly improper for a Jewish woman to speak publicly to a man other than her husband, she mustered every ounce of courage and reluctantly came up to him. You can imagine that every eye in the crowd must have been riveted on her as she quietly shared the whole truth of her illness and suffering with Jesus and the gaping crowd.

Jesus listened intently and compassionately. Then he publicly blessed her and praised her: “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble.”

By saying this, the Lord pronounced that she was once again religiously clean and healthy. She could once again join in the community. Her neighbors, friends and family would no longer fear being near her. She could now entertain… experience meaningful touch by the people who loved her… and attend public functions in town and her synagogue. She was an outcast no longer. Jesus healed much more than her physical illness. He also healed the deepest needs of her soul.

As we reflect on this beautiful and touching story, there is much good news for us to take and apply to our own lives.

One amazing lesson is that when you reach out to Jesus, he’s going to stop and listen with total interest and deep compassion. At that moment, there’s nothing that’s more important to him. You’ve got his full attention. So don’t ever be afraid to pour out your heart to him.

We also learn that Jesus will heal the deepest needs of your soul, just as he did for this woman. He’ll take away your hurts and your loneliness. He’ll affirm you and love you and flood your soul with peace and joy—if only you reach out to him in faith. Trust that he can do that for you—because he can, he wants to, and he will, if you let him.

Pray today for the wisdom and courage and trust to put your deepest needs in the hands of Christ the Lord. As the woman in the gospel found out, it’s guaranteed that you won’t be disappointed.