This weekend the Gospel presents us with the familiar passage concerning the woman with a hemorrhage and the little girl who died. These stories remind us that sickness and death have been part of humanity ever since the sin of Adam and Eve. We were created to be immortal and in the image of God without sickness and death. Sin destroyed that. The consequence of sin was death. Further consequences of Original Sin include hatred, envy, selfishness, arrogance, and pride. One can easily see the consequences of sin are terrible.

Perhaps the greatest impact of sin concerns the relationship we have with our Creator. Sin undermines our relationship with God such that we feel at times a sense of loneliness and emptiness.

In times of loneliness and empty feelings, we are reminded the only hope we have is in the Lord. We are called to turn to him, like the woman with the hemorrhage, and seek his healing love and mercy. We too can hear similar words spoken to us, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” And similarly, his words to the girl who died,“Little girl, I say to you, arise!” Jesus alone can fully restore us to peace.

It takes a certain amount of humility, however, to set aside our own plans for healing and turn to the Lord. And so, we pray for that grace of humility which Adam and Eve ignored. May our humility lead us always to the healing power of the Lord.

Sincerely,
Rev. Miguel González