Luke 8:40-56

There are two miracles described in this passage: one of the woman touching the hem of Jesus' robe and being healed; the other of raising Jairus' daughter.

The first phrase that caught my attention in this passage was the first phrase "On his return Jesus..." or "When Jesus returned..." depending which version you read.

In the previous verses Jesus had been in Garesene and was asked to leave. Whether or not we assume chronological flow here, "on his return" implies Jesus had a home base; the synagogue there would be his place of regular worship and he would be known. He was coming back home to the place where people knew and trusted him. Around him the paradigm had already shifted - it was accepted that he healed the sick; he was a master who taught and practised wisdom. Even so, when he raised Jairus' daughter, he did so in private and asked her parents to keep quiet about what he had done.

The other part of this passage that is important for me today is when Jesus says to the woman who touched his hem, your faith has saved you, go in peace." Jesus doesn't go around healing people because he thinks they should be healed ro to provide a spectacle for the crowd. Jesus asks the important question, "do you want to be healed?"

Being healed may not happen in the way that we expect, but however it happens, it happens in deep contract and commitment with our inner selves, the God within. When we are ready and willing to commit to that contract then healing happens.

It is easy to hand over the responsibility to Jesus or God to heal me and then blame God when I do not heal as I wanted. But when I take responsibility for my healing, then I call on the mystery of God to participate. I am also able to to recognize that I too can be a healing conduit, just as Jesus was, for others who are ready and willing to heal.

As an incarnate being I may enhance my healing skills in practical ways by learning Reiki or Therapeutic Touch, massage or aromatherapy; I may gain knowledge in healing herbs, medicinal plants and healthy foods; I could train in acupressure or acupuncture, I could be a registered medical doctor.

Whatever my earthly skills, there is still a question I need to ask - "do you want to be healed?" and a request "please God heal through me for the highest good."

I am trained in the healing modalities of Reiki, acupressure, Hawaiian massage and NeuroLinguistic Programming.