Following Jesus, touching Jesus

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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 04 February 2025
Hebrews 12:1-4     ><]]]]'>  +  ><]]]]'>  +  ><]]]]'>     Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea (Mark 5:21).

Lord Jesus Christ:

How lovely to hear 
this story of your frequent crossing
of the sea to the other side
to reach out to more people
hungry and thirsty
for your words that comfort
and forgive, ease one's burdens
and most especially 
for your healing touch.

You always come to us,
Jesus, reaching out to us
when all we have to do is follow
you and as much as possible,
be near you to touch you
like that sick woman 
who touched your
clothe after Jairus
had begged you to come
to touch his sick and dying
daughter.

That's all we have to do:
follow you,
be near you,
and touch you;
but, of the large
crowd there like today,
only one dared to touch you;
only one father 
had the courage to ask you
to come and lay your hands
on his daughter.

Give me Jesus
the courage to come to you,
to get near you
and touch you
with faith
and desire to meet you,
to speak to you,
to be with you;
take away my fears
of leaving the safety
of the sidewalks,
of walking the main street
that leads to your Cross
when in fact,
it was you who have
paid the price for me
by dying on the Cross.

Let the words
of the author of the Letter
to the Hebrews sink in me,
"In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted
to the point of shedding
 blood" (12:4)
because I am
 always afraid,
always hesitant
in following you,
in touching you.

Touch me, Jesus
so I may cross the sea
with you despite the storm
and giant waves;
touch me, Jesus
so I may cross the street
and walk beside you
in your arduous journey;
touch me, Jesus
so I may stand with you
at your Cross.
Amen.