10 September 2019 - the fullness of deity bodily

Today's Readings

(Audio)

Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him
because power came forth from him and healed them all.

The reason they sought to touch him was not because he captivated them with a seductive philosophy. It wasn't merely empty traditions that appealed to the crowds with their familiarity. It was totally different from the elemental powers of the world that drive people to seek pleasure and become addicted. Rather, they sought to touch the one on whom "dwells the whole fullness of deity bodily". They desired to "share in this fullness in him".

We too should seek to touch Jesus. Our spirits should reach out toward his, longing to experience his healing power. We can be even more confident than the crowds in the gospel that we will experience that power.

And even when you were dead in transgressions
and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
he brought you to life along with him

Jesus is not content to let sickness and sin keep his sheep apart from him. He doesn't just remove the bond against us. As the first reading says, he obliterates it. He doesn't just free us from principalities and powers that held us captive. He despoils them. He leads the newly free and the profoundly defeated in his triumphant victory procession.

The way the power of Jesus expresses itself when he touches us may be in physical healings. Or it may not. But we can be absolutely certain that it does change and transform us anytime there is genuine contact between our spirits. Especially at mass when we do touch the flesh and blood of the savior in the intimacy of the Eucharist do we have the opportunity to receive this power. However, "Quidquid recipitur ad modum recipientis recipitur" ("Whatever is received is received according to the manner of the receiver"). If we want his power in our lives we must open ourselves to that power.

You were buried with him in baptism,
in which you were also raised with him
through faith in the power of God,
who raised him from the dead.

The resurrection power of Jesus is virtually unlimited. Even the greatest saints have scarcely begun to tap into it. Our lives our meant to be processes of unleashing it more and more.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you