Touch, Pain and The Bible

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    My mom often reminds me of the story in the Bible about the woman who touched Jesus and was healed. This woman had suffered for twelve years with chronic bleeding and people steered clear of her because they believed if they got close they would catch what she had. One day, Jesus had come into her town and she thought to herself that if she could just touch His clothes she could easily be healed. And she was! Jesus had actually felt some power drain out of him and so he asked who had touched him. The woman came forward even though she was fearful that he would punish her, as she was used to people not liking her because of her condition. However, He said, 

"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." 

       - Mark 5:34 (NIV) 

    Her faith in Him gave her the confidence to reach out. In return Jesus healed her condition but also restored her dignity as people didn't want to be near her for years. In Sacred Pain and the Phenomenal Self written by Ariel Glucklich, he talks about suffering and pain related to religious practices. In the case of the woman being avoided by everyone, her sense of self was diminished and this caused much pain to her as this went on for over a decade. 

    There are many stories in the Bible about pain and touch. For example, Jesus healing the leper by touching him, Jesus healing Jairus' daughter by touching her hand, Jesus healing Malchus' ear, plus many more. 





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