In passing
Matthew 9:18-22
While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed at that moment.
Loving God,
it amazes us that on a busy day
On an important mission
With pressing business and people pushing him on
Jesus had time to stop and speak to a woman who did nothing more that reach out to touch the edge of his cloak.
And yet he did. He stopped. And he healed her.
In that brief moment in time, her life was changed. She was given new life because, in passing, Jesus gave her all he had to give.
We give thanks that Jesus does the same for us – though we often forget.
We give thanks also for other people whom we have known only in passing but who have made a difference to our lives.
The person who made us smile, or feel welcome;
who put us at ease or asked if they could help;
who made us feel better about ourselves with a word of encouragement or praise or thanks or appreciation
who gave words of consolation rather than seeking it for themselves
who acted or spoke to us in a way that said ‘You matter to me’.
As we give thanks for those people, we ask for grace to treat those we meet in the same way. AMEN.
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