July 8, 2023

The Holy Great-Martyr Procopius (303).
Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 9:18-26.

Read Matthew 9:18-26

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

When I visited Magdala near the Lake of Galilee, my attention was completely drown by one unforgettable modern picture behind one of the altars depicting the moment when a women who had had hemorrhage for twelve years has touched Jesus. The number twelve signifies the fullness meaning that she was sick instantly and for a very long period of time without any hope to be ever cured. Yet, she still hoped without a hope and in her hopelessness she was healed just by One Touch. One significant touch can change our entire life.

At one of the auctions, an old damaged violin was presented as a lot for which nobody wanted to pay even a hundred dollars. It was bought by musician who knew how to repair violins. Next year, a violin which had a perfect sound and looked very ancient was sold for 50 thousand dollars. The touch of a master has changed the value of a violin. A touch of Jesus restores us to the true value of being created on the image and likeness of God.

The women with blood issue was excluded from the society and regarded by all orthodox Jews as being instantly unclean. She could not sit anywhere, touch anyone, perform religious rituals, or even be in the crowd. Yet, for Jesus she was not lost in the crowd. In her moment of pain and hopelessness she was all that mattered for Jesus. When she touched Jesus, the time stood still. She appeared to be someone to whom Jesus gave himself in fullness. We are also not lost in the crowd. We are valuable for Jesus, and if we gently touch Him, Jesus will heal our wounds with the fullness of His power.