Centurio Epistula – Faith, Healing, and Relics -- 24th Sunday after Trinity

The Gospel story today is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. There is a lesson in it about faith and healing. It gave the early Church a faith and hope in the efficacy of relics that continues to this day. The Jews beckoned our Lord to come and raise Jairus' daughter, the ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum, who was ill to the point of death. Along the way to Jairus' house, a woman who had suffered from continual menstrual bleeding for twelve years approached Jesus from behind in order to discretely touch the hem of his garment. As she did so, she thought to herself that even by just the touch the hem of his robe she would be miraculously healed. She did so and felt the healing power of Jesus deep within her. At that very moment her issue ceased. At the same moment, Jesus felt a force leave him. He turned asked who had touched him. His disciples were confounded that with so many pressing against them, Jesus could ask who touched him. However Jesus kept looking about him for the person who had touched him. The woman came and fell at his feet in fear and confessed her deed. Jesus had compassion on her and told her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."

See the rest of the homily, readings, and art here (including other Biblical accounts and the story of the Spear of St. Longinus: 24th Sunday after Trinity http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity24.html

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