“Because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”   Mark 5 : 28 - 30

Bible reading : Mark 5 : 21 - 43

Thought of the week

In our Gospel reading Jesus is stopped by Jairus who falls at His feet begging for his little girl. As Jesus goes to help He is again interrupted by a woman bleeding for years, desperate, who touches Jesus’ robe, such is her faith. Both very genuine needs. Two very human stories.

Today as Val is Ordained Deacon, along with others, and still others are Ordained priest, each person has an individual story. Each will have had a different journey and a different account of meeting with Jesus, of their lives being changed, of obeying the call to believe and to follow.

In the Gospel the little girl is brought back to life, and her family filled with amazement and joy. For the woman who was healed she knew acceptance and hope for the first time for years. In both Jesus transforms the situation from despair, and brings a whole new beginning.

Jesus meets with each of us every day. He offers each of us His healing, His hope and transformed lives.

We pray for Val as she begins her ministry in Jesus’ name amongst us. May we each know the transforming power of Jesus’ love.

Rev Paul

Prayer for today

Gracious Father,

by the obedience of Jesus

you brought salvation to our wayward world:

draw us into harmony with your will,

that we may find all things

restored in him,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen