"And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well."
For the past two days, we have read of two extraordinary and courageous women who reached out and touched Jesus. In yesterday’s Gospel, it was the woman at the well, and in today’s Eucharistic Lectionary, the women who had been suffering from hemorrhages. Both women had everything to lose. They were isolated, perhaps frightened, and yet nothing could stop them from encountering Jesus Christ.
During this time, it is easy to get lost in our fears, and although we are physically distant, we can reach out to God and one another in unexpected ways. We may be frightened and have a sense of not wanting to be alone; it is expected. However, we need not be our fears.
We have a choice as to spend hours upon hours consumed with the latest reports, or we can reach out to God and one another. This may be an excellent time to start a prayer routine that will last beyond this desert. Pray the Daily Office (morning, noon, and night). Read the bible for 10 minutes, or set your alarm to pray at the beginning of each hour. In much the same way, call 5 people from your church and check on them. Call 5 people who are not in your church and ask if you can do anything for them. Tell all that you are praying for them.
We have our faith, we have one another, and we have Jesus Christ. While physically isolated, let us be spiritually connected and alive. Let our faith flourish throughout the day. Like the two women in our Gospel, reach out and leave your burdens at the well. Reach out and touch the hem of the holy one.
You inspire me on this new and holy pilgrimage. We will walk together, and all will be well. God bless you. I am praying for you, and I love you.
PS. Enormous gratitude to all the laity, clergy, and staff who ventured into unknown fields with broadcasting the services yesterday. It was a great day for the church. Well done, faithful servants, well done. We got this.