by Sarah McAfee

For Your Reading: Mark 3:7-19

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him.

"He touched me, and my sores were healed!" she said.

I had not been in the fortunate part of the crowd.

"I can move. It doesn't hurt!" she exclaimed.

I did not receive the healing touch.

My sister spun about, moving her limbs with new vigor, reveling in the feel of whole sinews.

I seethed with jealousy and nearly shook with anger. My viscera tied in knots.

"Aren't you happy for me?" she asked.

I could only show her my weeping wounds

Her unblemished hands wrapped around mine.

Her exuberance soothed my sores.

A tear fell from her chin.

With it, she washed away my despair.

A breath entered me

I felt it pushing every infirmity out of me, bubbling up out of my very pores

The breath left my body

But the presence stayed with me, renewing and bathing me in exuberant peace

My eyes opened, and I engaged the world again.

Those He had selected had returned to us.

They healed a man next to me.

And then a woman beside him.

But even their hands were not enough

Always a new fever, a new injury appeared.

The Presence within me beckoned to be let out

So I opened my hands to the man next to me.

His tears and hurts began to disperse

I breathed on him; the Presence entered and sustained him.

And then the miracle occurred

As I shared the ancient Presence, a new birth of peaceful breath surrounded us all.

As we breathed out the Presence, and gave it away to others

The Presence grew, returned, and made us more than our selves.

For Your Prayer: Be quiet and pray with the following from the Book of Common Prayer: 

Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For Your Reflection: How has God healed you? How might you share the grace and healing you have received from God with others?

Sarah McAfee is the communications assistant for the Office of the Bishop. In addition to being the friendly voice who answers the phone, she provides communications support and administration for the diocese, including database management and information technology support.