ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 28, 200913th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 28, 200913th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
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Next Sunday's Readings:Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-132 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15Mark 5:21-43http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062809.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_28.mp3
Wouldn't it be great if we could actually touch and feel the hem of Jesus' clothing, like the woman in next Sunday's Gospel reading? To be near enough to Jesus to be healed spiritually, physically, and emotionally. How can we, 2000 years after he ascended into heaven, get that close to him?
It is possible, and it's exactly what Jesus wants for us. It comes from developing a better understanding of who Jesus really is and how much God really cares about us. The synagogue leader understood, which is why he could say in faith: "Please, come lay your hands on my daughter that she may live." He understood Jesus beyond what was in front of his eyes. He believed in the divine life of Jesus.
Knowing Jesus is to know divine life, which transforms our earthly life into something much more like his and then takes us to heaven. The first reading, remember, states clearly that death is not part of God's plan. Jesus drives this point home by allowing the girl to die before he reaches her house. Certainly God could have kept her alive until he got there! But he wanted to show the world that he could restore life and that he has the power to rescue us from death.
If we fear death, we don't recognize the nearness of Christ. We can touch the hem of his garment, but we don't see it, and so we don't believe it. In this case, we're like the mourners that Jesus had to chase out of the house before working his miracle.
If we fear that our trials are leading to disastrous conclusions, we've forgotten how powerful Jesus is, and we've forgotten that he cares enough to rescue us. We need to move ourselves closer to Jesus. We have to press on through the crowd of distractions and doubts, with our eyes fixed only on Jesus and our hands reaching out to him in prayer.
If we fear that God doesn't care enough about us to help us, we need to spend more time learning why Jesus gave up his life for us and why the Father sent him to us.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Do you believe that Jesus wants to work miraculously in your life? How has the disbelief of the people around you infected your thinking and reduced your faith?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:Describe a miracle that you saw or experienced. How long did it take? What blessings occurred during the time of suffering? How was all of this an expression of God's love?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
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