Touch

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Conversion, Courage, Discipleship, Faith, Gospel, healing, spirituality

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 30, 2024

Today’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/063024.cfm

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Matthew 5:25-29

After praying with this passage from Mark, I wrote this homily almost a decade ago. I liked it very much. And even though it is long, I thought some of you might like to read it or to pray with it this Sunday.

https://lavishmercy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/homily-mk-5-21-43-.docx

Music: Touch the Hem of His Garment – Sam Cooke

One of my favorite voices from the 50s and 60s, Sam Cooke is considered one among the greatest R&B artists of all time. Some of you may recall his pop hits like “You Send Me” and “Twisting’ the Night Away”.

Early in his career, he sang with a Gospel group, the Soul Stirrers.

In 1950, Cooke replaced gospel tenor R. H. Harris as lead singer of his gospel group The Soul Stirrer. Their first recording under Cooke’s leadership was the song “Jesus Gave Me Water” in 1950. They also recorded the gospel songs “Peace in the Valley”, “How Far Am I from Canaan?”, “Jesus Paid the Debt” and “One More River”, among many others, some of which he wrote. Cooke was often credited for bringing gospel music to the attention of a younger crowd of listeners, mainly girls who would rush to the stage when the Soul Stirrers hit the stage just to get a glimpse of him. (Wikipedia)

10 thoughts on “Touch”

  2. Mary Ann's avatar Mary Ann

    Renee, I’m so glad you included this profound homily of faith. Yes, we can all find ourselves here in this gospel. Let us have faith that Jesus knows our need for healing and can touch and heal each of us.

    Arise!

    Mary Ann

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  3. Very nice homily, Sister… I have always loved reading homilies and reflections by women especially when characters in the Bible involved women too because I believe and always amazed at how you see them and how these stories unfolded to you. Like this one Sister…

    Secondly, I love checking on your music too. This is something very new to me.

    Thank you so much. May you and your community have a blessed July!

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  5. graciously4's avatar graciously4

    Beautiful homily Sr. Renee! What strikes me is Jesus healed the woman with the hemorrhage as soon as she touched His cloak and then Jesus turned and gazed at her. He wanted to touch her whole being so she would know His love for her.

    Thank you Sr. Renee

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  6. Donna Ising's avatar Donna Ising

    Thank you for including your homily. This was so powerful and full of inspiration.

    You put me right there in that holy setting. Your choice of words have given me a deeper spiritual meaning that will live on in my heart.

    Please, please include some of your heart touching reflections and homilies. Your beautiful art work is so expressive. I have been a faithful follower of your for some years. Please make this spiritual reflection even deeper by using your homilies.

    Love and Prayers as always,

    Donna Ising

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