The Holy Martyr Hyacinth
Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 9:18-26
Read Matthew 9:18-26
Why do we need to be physically in Church? If God can hear us wherever we are and whenever we lift our minds to Him, why can’t we just spend some time in nature instead of going to Church? As the pandemic restrictions begin to lift, haven’t we discovered through live-streaming that we can more easily sit on our living room couch than stand in Church to worship the Lord?
We have an answer to these questions in our gospel lesson today. Part of the answer is related to our desire and part of the answer is related to who we are as people. Both the leader of the synagogue and the woman with the flow-of-blood seek help where it can be found – in Christ Himself. The woman, having such a desire for healing from the Lord, knew that even reaching out to touch Him would heal her!
The second part of the answer is who we are, or more accurately, who we are not. We are not angels, we are spiritual and bodily beings. We will be saved with our bodies, which play an important role in our salvation. Jesus did not come to the world to save us as a spirit or angel but bodily as a complete human being, and offered up His Body for our salvation. Take a look at how physical touch is so important in our gospel healings today, with both healings enacted through touch. Our Lord continues to act through His creation physically in the Sacraments or Holy Mysteries which we partake of bodily. There is simply no substitute for these, regardless of the beauty of nature or the speed of our internet connection!