June 30: Worship in Central Park – Jesus extends love across barriers

Jesus commends faith in healing

A woman finds healing by touching Jesus’ cloak, and a girl is restored to life when he takes her by the hand. In both cases a boundary is crossed: in Jesus’ time the hemorrhaging woman was considered ritually unclean, polluting others by her touch, and anyone who touched a corpse also became unclean. In Mark’s gospel Jesus breaks down barriers, from his first meal at a tax collector’s house to his last breath on the cross as the temple curtain is torn in two.

We dare to touch Jesus in our “uncleanness” and to live as a community that defines no one as an outsider.

Come, Holy Spirit!       Alleluia!