She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and put her hand on his cloak. “If I just touch his clothing,”
she thought, “I will get well.”
Mark 5:27-28
After looking out the window for inspiration with no results, I decided to look upward to offer a prayer. In the process, I caught a glimpse of Sister Gerard. I couldn’t help responding, “God is good!” Sister Gerard is my great-aunt who passed away more than forty years ago. No, I did NOT see a vision of her. What I did see is a nun doll -a worthy replica. I call her “Sister Gerard” in my aunt’s honor. I said, “God is good” because Sister Gerard frequently uttered this phrase in response to the blessings in her life…
After further reflection regarding my aunt and after thanking God for the inspiration, I must add that Sister Gerard also exclaimed “God is good!” in the face of tragedies both large and small. This dear woman was convinced that God infused goodness into the best and worst of times and into everything in between.
Today, I’m going to take a lesson from Sister Gerard. In spite of the pandemic, political unrest and our ongoing inability to treat one another as God’s family, I’m going to find reason to praise God. Like Sister Gerard, I’m going to look for God’s favor in every moment which lies ahead.
The woman in Mark’s gospel who struggled through the crowd to touch Jesus’ cloak endured ongoing misery much like we are. Still, like Sister Gerard, she also knew that God’s goodness was within reach. This woman’s efforts paved the way for you and me to reach for the same. Like that woman and like Sister Gerard, when we look carefully into the moment at hand we will find that, indeed, God is good!
Good God, thank you for everything!
©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved