Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Mark 3:7-12
"He [Jesus] had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.”
This one line of today’s Gospel brought to mind so many thoughts about the people who have touched Jesus and the ways He was touched. Similar to the people in today’s Gospel, there is the hemorrhaging woman, whom we recall, who reached out knowing she only needed to touch the tassel of His cloak to be healed.
On the other hand, we find His executioners, whose touch was rough and demanding. Their touch held our Lord’s body as it was nailed to a cross.
Notice the difference between these examples. Those who reach out in expectant faith got what there was to receive. To the executioners, he was just another man, and they didn’t receive what he had to offer.
The Gospel tells us that the people were pressing upon Him. In the Greek, the word for pressing upon is epipiptō. I guessed the word to mean getting close to or leaning toward someone. Epipiptō is defined as to fall upon, embrace. The word is also used in John 13:25, describing John lying on the breast of Jesus at the Last Supper. Interestingly, the word is also used in Luke 15:20, when the father saw his prodigal son a great distance away, ran to him, and fell on his neck.
They were determined to touch Jesus that day. They knew what they were seeking, and they knew it could only come from Him. If there’s one sure way to take your reception of the Eucharist to a whole new level, when you physically reach out to touch and receive, spiritually fall upon Him.
Ponder:
The word epipiptō is also used in Acts 11:15, when Peter reports that the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles. How does this example bring you to a deeper relationship with God, that not only do we get, but we need to receive?
Pray:
Jesus, when I reach out to touch You, help me to remember who You are. Help me to not just reach, but to fall upon You, and help me to receive all You have to give.
Copyright 2023 Julie Storr
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