The power of touch

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Today’s gospel reading from Mark 5:21-43 is about the power of touch. A synagogue official, Jairus by name, came to Jesus and told him that his daughter was desperately sick. He then put this request to Jesus, “Please come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.” Now, as Jesus was making his way to Jairus’ house, a large crowd followed them. Among them was a woman who suffered from internal bleeding. Although no doctors could help her and despite the crowd pressing in on Jesus, she said to herself, “If I can touch even his clothes I shall be well again.” She did and immediately the bleeding stopped and she was cured. Now Jesus knew that power had gone out of him when the woman touched his clothes. So he stopped, looked around at everyone and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” He did not want to embarrass the woman. Rather, he wanted to affirm her remarkable faith. She eventually came forward and Jesus said, “My daughter, your faith has retored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.” While on his way to heal the daughter of Jairus, Jesus claimed this woman to be his daughter because she had been reborn through the power of touch. Sadly, it was at this moment that people arrived from Jairus’ house to tell him that his daughter was dead and advised him not to bother Jesus anymore. Jesus heard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; only have faith.” Jesus urges Jairus to folllow the example of the woman whom he had just healed and trust in Jesus’ power of touch. When he arrived at the house, those who had been wailing at the death of the girl then turned round and laughed at Jesus when he said that the girl was not dead, only sleeping. He then ordered these people out and only took the parents and his closest companions into the house. He took the girl by the hand and said, “Talitha, kum!” which means, “Little girl, I tell you get up.” She got up and walked about. Jesus asked the parents and his companions not to tell anyone. Still, people would soon know. So, all Jesus said was, “Give her something to eat.” What a wonderful way to end the story! Let’s not make a fuss. Trust in the power of touch. That’s all. You and I have that power. It’s not necessarily fancy or dramatic. It is just a day-to-day experience, to reach out and touch someone in need or to touch someone whom I believe can meet my need of healing. All this demands is that you believe in the power of touch.

Tom Rouse