In the Gospel narratives of today we find two very similar miracles. It is the
“touch” of Christ in faith.
The first one is the synagogue leader whose daughter has just died and pleaded with Jesus saying: “
Come and lay your hand on her and she will live”.The second is the Canaanite woman who was suffering from a hemorrhage and said to herself:
“If only touch his cloak, I will be made well”. In both instances we see Jesus willing to touch them personally and bring them the grace according to their strong faith. In many instances in the Gospels, they were the sick who were coming to him. Here is Jesus going to them.
Jesus came into our world and to each one of us so that we might believe in Him and that our faith in touching Him may bring us wholeness of life.
In His lifetime of pastoral ministry, Jesus came in contact with different people of faith by His physical presence, His words and His actions. In the same way, He wished and planned to continue this presence in us by words and actions. In the sacraments Jesus truly continues to touch us as often as we reach to Him with faith.
In the Holy Eucharist, Christ is here to touch us bodily, to nourish us and make us holy. In penance His words are here to forgive us and heal us. We hear them through the mediation of our priests, in the power given to them by Christ before He ascended into Heaven. In His church the power of Christ, His words and His actions truly continue to touch us always.
Let us have strong faith as the synagogue leader and the Canaanite woman that we invite Jesus and allow Him to touch our many wounds and heal us with His gentle power of touch.