RBWords

     How much faith is "enough?"  How can God notice my meager efforts amidst all the incredible things that others are doing?  How "close" do I have to get to God to be heard?  Perhaps we should ask the woman in the gospel scripture today!  I recommend to the Beloved Congregation that you read the version of this story in the Gospel of Mark [5:21-42] which Matthew has "edited" down to its bare essentials.  In Mark, the lady has to fight her way through a crowd that is surrounding Jesus and bumping up against him.  Yet, it is her touch that Jesus "feels."  In Matthew, this is emphasized only in the minimal touch of a tassel on Jesus' cloak.  Over the years, I have learned that every congregation will have its "tassel-touchers!"

     I recognize "tassel-touchers" often in people who come in and stand well in the back at Mass.  Sometimes they are people who come almost shyly into the church during the day and sit for awhile in silence.  For whatever reason, this is all that they can do.  I learned this when I was once trying to get some people standing  in the vestibule of the church to go inside to Mass.  After "encouraging" some teenagers at one end to go inside, I turned and saw a woman and man standing together and listening to the service.  I invited them to join the congregation inside but the lady said they would rather stay where they were.  I responded that the church was "gathered" inside.  She responded that the church was gathered in the vestibule as well!!!!  That shut me up but good.  Now I tell ushers to leave those folks alone!  They are the "tassel-touchers."  I now leave it to Jesus to read and feel their faith and respond accordingly.  AMEN