CPTnet
3 February 2011
COLOMBIA REFLECTION:  Mark 5:21-29—Only one hope

 by Jenny Rodriguez Díaz

The Colombian social organizations led by women are always the most vulnerable and least heard.  Sometimes I wish God's justice came swiftly and unquestioned the way Jesus dispensed it in Mark 5:21-29.  I see women who denounce the perverse and announce that which gives life, that which is to be enjoyed and shared with others.  Others today may be touched by the mantle that thousands of years ago reached out to a woman condemned by doctors and society to remain sick and excluded all her life.  We cannot ignore this story in our culture that silences women's voices—a society that chooses to isolate women because women don't live up to its standards.  It is a culture that constantly represses and trivialises the work of hundreds of mothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, and daughters.  At end of the day we hear these voices calling, "There is only one hope to see a different tomorrow."

Mark 5:21-29 dignifies women and a sentence from the story about the woman touching the hem of Jesus’ mantle reflects the change that this woman wanted for her life: "if only I may touch his garment I shall be healed."  In the same way, strong Colombian women choose to have faith and serve as visionaries and dream of a just world, where society, as Jesus did, must open its arms and welcome whoever comes.

 The text mentions a keyword “to heal" which in Greek is "sozo.”  The word also has the connotation, “to rescue from danger.”  When the woman touches his cloak, Jesus feels something and asks who touched it.  The woman comes forward and Jesus' answer is "daughter your faith has healed you."  This response is precisely the answer that women leaders who have received hate mail and words that degrade their souls are asking for.  They've received this hatred simply because they have chosen to raise their voices and make sure that memories of them do not disappear.  They hope only to speak freely without worry or fear.  God, continue to protect them.