#MyMassTakeaway: The Healing Power of Touch

Today’s the 13thSunday in Ordinary Time.

Find the Mass Readings here: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 1, 2018

My takeaway:

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#MyMassTakeaway – She touched me! I betcha the apostles felt a lot like I feel when we drive in the car. Voices from the backseat: "Mooooom, she touched meeee!" Me: "Ohmygoodness you're 2 inches away from each other, she's going to touch you." In a crowded situation, it's a ridiculous thing to say, and I can understand the apostles' frustration. But Jesus was making a point. Sure, everybody was touching Him, but only *her* touch drew out His healing powers. And then He went on to heal Jairus' daughter by the power of touch. Not every touch is a healing touch. My kids do their fair share of bumping and fighting and pushing. But then the baby is crying and a big kid steps in and picks him up. Or someone falls down and scrapes their knee, and brother or sister fix it with a kiss. We can bring the healing power of touch into our lives, like Jesus did. I used to be all "no-touchy" but as a mom of four, I just can't avoid it. So it's time to embrace it and its spiritual connections. It's time to be intentional about hugging the kids, holding their hands, snuggling at bedtime. Time to shake hands with a stranger. Time to reach out to that hurting friend and offer a hug. Time to give my husband a kiss when he gets home from work, rather than saying "hey" from the other room and getting on with my work. How can you bring the healing power of touch into the lives of those around you, like Jesus did in today's Gospel? #mysundaybest with @rosiehill425

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Thoughts from my blogging friends:

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#MyMassTakeaway – Whenever I hear the story of the woman with the hemorrhage, I think of a few retreats that I've been on where, in similar fashion, the priest would expose the Blessed Sacrament and allow us all to approach and touch the humeral veil, which he would drape around the monstrance. The anticipation I would have for that moment when it was finally my turn would be great, and I'd often be moved to tears as I clung to the veil, desperately pouring out my heart to Jesus. And then I realized something – I get to touch Jesus' Body every. single. week. Every time I go to Communion, I not only have Him placed in my hands, but receive Him into myself. And I can't say that I have nearly as much anticipation about that as I do getting to touch the humeral veil. I think for a lot of us, myself definitely included, Mass and even reception of Communion has become routine. Whereas a retreat prayer service is out of the ordinary and calls our attention, I'm so used to receiving Jesus each week that I don't even think about it anymore – and that's really bad. I tried to be more conscious of this at Mass today, but I think it will be a work in progress. Thankfully we have a God who we can always continually strive to be closer to and always learn something new about, even in the routine. #Sunday #SundayFunday #SundayMass #Mass #Gospel #SundayGospel #Eucharist #Adoration #Eucharisticadoration #Jesus #BodyandBlood #CatholicsOnline #zeliecreates #bissisterhood #amdg #gloriam #gloriammarketing #forHisgreaterglory

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I was a little nervous looking over today's readings. Lately, I've been struggling to understand (or even hear God). Add in the miraculous healings, and I anticipated it could be a difficult Mass for me. Deacon Brian started talking about health, and I got nervous because the last time a homily talked about health (I was visiting a different parish then), it ended in tears because it was so hurtful. This time around, I was crying too. But this time, it was because it was exactly what I needed to hear. I was reminded that God can speak to us in many different ways. I was reminded that Jesus can heal us in many ways (not just physically). We have two sacraments specifically focused on healing (Annointing of the Sick and Reconciliation). We get to touch Jesus, He dwells within us, every single Sunday. God is so good! #MyMassTakeaway with @tojesussincerely #sundaybest #chronicallyillchristian #ChronicallyIllCatholic #CatholicsOnline #CatholicsofInstagram #ChristianBlogger #CatholicBlogger #FaithBlogger #lovetheword #shorthairdontcare #mysundaybest

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First came the opening song: “All Are Welcome.” And then that convicting Second Reading: “your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. As it is written: Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.” And then in the Prayers of the Faithful, our deacon asked for prayers for families unjustly separated at the border. When we sang America the Beautiful at the end of Mass, I thought about the faith of the Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman, and compared it to the faith of those who traveled here, who believed our country would offer them sanctuary. As Catholic Americans, we must follow the example of our bishops and continue to seek justice for them. #mymasstakeaway #mysundaybest #catholicsofinstagram #familiesbelongtogether #catholicsonline

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Faith goes way beyond death. Faith escapes any boundaries, not because of faith on its own but because of who we have faith in, for nothing is impossible with God. In today's Gospel reading from Mark 5, Jesus raises the little girl from death to life and heals the woman who couldn't find a cure for 12 years. In both cases faith worked as the catalyst for the miracle. Mircea Eliade, the great historian of religions, mentions in his book Myth and reality, that many archaic societies, like the Navaho believed that Life cannot be restored but only recreated by going back to the life giving source, going back to the moment when God created the world. Isn't that awesome that Jesus is all of that, the beginning and the end, Life itself. These people new, through faith He is the source it of life, but you need faith in order for it to become a reality. +++ #myMassTakeaway @tojesussincerely #gospel #mark #faith #religiousart #thewordofgod #eliade #drawclosertogod #thewordisalive #faithjournal #art #drawing #jesus #godsaves #godheals #mythandreality #life #biblejournalingcommunity #biblejournaling #openjourney #ingridblixt

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#mymasstakeaway with @tojesussincerely 💜 Today’s gospel reading about the hemorrhaging woman touching the cloak of Jesus and then Jesus raising the little girl from the dead were awesome reminders that in Christ, all things are new. Leviticus tells us that the woman would have been ostracized from society because of her affliction. Anything she touched would have been declared unclean. Likewise, the only ones to touch a deceased family member would be immediate family. Any friends (or in this case, Jesus, who did not know the family) who would have touched the dead girl would have been declared unclean. The link between what seems to be two different stories becomes obvious. Jesus heals. His touch brings us new life. The old laws of Leviticus no longer stand once Jesus arrives. Our Healer redeems us! He doesn’t hesitate to touch the “untouchable” – and that’s such a blessing for us. He approaches us with compassion and shows us the love of our merciful Father. Through Christ, we are handed a new covenant, one that promises us life. Through Him, with Him, in Him. Every mass. Every taste of the Eucharist. Every heartfelt prayer. Yes! There He is. He reminds us that He dwells now within us. We just have to reach out and touch Him. 💜 I am overwhelmed every time I think about it. Let Him overwhelm you, too.✝️ #lovethewordtakeaway #catholicwomen #sacredscripture #jesusourredeemer #jesusourhealer #mysundaybest

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Years ago, my initial response to stories about how Jesus healed someone would quickly be to ask, "But why not me?" Now, after much time (and prayer, and discernment, and reading – and talking with friends & family), I realize that none of us is promised a life without suffering — and that this is okay, and that ultimately, this is for some good. And maybe most comfortingly, that Jesus is with us even in those moments. When Jesus told that girl to arise today, it felt like He was speaking to me and asking me to arise from the place in life that tries to avoid suffering. It's a constant and continual effort of mine: to not only think of self-protection and safety, but to think of love and service, even through (and with) the pain. Jesus promises to be with us and to give us what we need to endure this life and its sufferings. I'm praying today to believe more fully in His presence and providence. #mymasstakeaway #catholicwife #catholiclife

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There, in the dark recesses of my soul, hides those little pieces of me that have long ago died. With every harsh word, every tear, every moment of grief and despair, with every betrayal and accusation, every disappointment and heartbreak – little pieces of me fell away. • And still…Jesus says to me, “arise.” “Arise from sorrow into the light of My joy. Arise from despair and trust that I make all things new. Arise from your heartache and see My heart pierced for you alone. I am the resurrection – arise with Me and live in the freedom of grace.” • So tonight, whatever is choking life out of you, ask Jesus to anoint it, to take it into His own hands and give you life in return. “Talitha koum – little girl, I say, arise!”

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Today, we are going to play the find Amy game! Lol! My daughter took this picture for me and we cracked up at how tiny I look. I was gonna trash it, but she said I needed to use it. I went to Mass twice today. My oldest was at a camp and missed morning Mass with the family, so I took her to evening Mass at the University of Dayton. In my late 20s, I converted to the Catholic Faith. I came to my first confession in fear and trembling because I had a huge sin to confess. When I was 17, I had cursed God. It still breaks my heart. Before I even started the confession tears started streaming down my cheeks. Like the woman who had hemorrhaged for 12 years, I wanted healing; not for a sick body, but a sick soul. In that confession, I reached out to Christ for healing. I will never forget the feeling I felt at the words of absolution. My soul felt like a bird let out of a cage. My faith had saved me and I could “go in peace, cured of my affliction.” Never be too scared to reach out to Christ. He wants you to reach out even with all your pain, all your baggage, all your hurt. His love is bigger than your sin. I promise.

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Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.

Healing Power of Touch

by Categories: #MyMassTakeaway, Prayer Life Leave a comment

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