WHO TOUCHED ME?
“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”
(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo who consecrated our temple.)
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:15-16)11
SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER. SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL AND THE OTHER BODILESS POWERS: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel.
“You should not be afraid of cholera, but of serious sins, for the scythe of death mows a person down like grass even without cholera. Therefore, place all your hope in the Lord God, without Whose will even the birds do not die, much less a person.”
(St. Anthony of Optina)
“When you see your body wasted away through sickness, do not murmur against God, but say, The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord (Job1:21). You are accustomed to look upon your body as your own inalienable property, but that is quite wrong, because your body is God’s edifice.” (St. John of Kronstadt)
TODAY’S GOSPEL. Luke 8:41-56. “And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, “Who touched Me?” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason that she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her, but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.”
Today we see the Lord’s healing power exercised by the desperation of two very different people in need of comfort and healing. The approach of Jairus for his very sick daughter was a public and open event, witnessed by the vast crowd surrounding Jesus. Being a ruler of the synagogue he would have presence and some standing in the community. On the other hand we have the unnamed woman desiring to be healed of her issue of blood, that had lasted for twelve years, secretly and in fear, touching the hem of the Lord’s clothing. The throng, as Peter said, were pressing around Jesus and so must have touched Him and yet He perceived that someone was uniquely in need of His help. The woman was healed and Jesus was about to go to the house of Jairus to heal his daughter.
To Jesus, the death of the girl was no barrier to his healing power telling them that she was merely sleeping. Her miraculous bringing back to life was a rebuke to all those who mocked Him, not believing His power, in contrast to those who believed. So it is with us who seek Him and try to follow Him. Sometimes out of desperation we reach out to touch the fringe of his clothing and receive His cure for us, not always in ways we understand. Jesus, always near, showed His divinity and humanity in raising the girl and very practically telling her parents to give her some food. He bids us also to have something to eat on our journey of faith, providing His very own body and blood of the Eucharist. This is the food that sustains us when we go astray, this is the food that allows us to continue when we are weary.
Today we remember the Holy Angels who minister at the heavenly throne and surround us, out of sight, continually. They are mentioned in the Old Testament and we are familiar with them in the New Testament. We have the angelic announcement to Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, of the Incarnation. We hear of their presence at Christ’s Nativity in Bethlehem. They were there at the empty tomb announcing the Lord’s Resurrection. May the Holy Angels be with us and may they journey with us on all our roads. God Bless.
Much Love,
Fr. George.
Great Vespers will be served on Saturday 14th November when our beloved Metropolitan will be here and also on Sunday at the Divine Liturgy.