The End of Your Suffering

The End of Your Suffering

(“And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34)

No one could blame you for claiming each
morning was another day of pain. No one could
argue with your hard-edged blues.
It was chronic, there was never a day when
the wrinkles escaped your forehead. There was not
a moment you captured anything new.

Some had tried to disarm you of your complaint;
some had questioned your faith and your explanations
for missing appointments with friends.
All you knew, and had known for a dozen years
was that nothing touched the pain or lifted you
up as early as when you were well.

Your ailment was invisible, your pain a ghostly companion.
It was a crisis unseen and sometimes forgotten by those
who knew you well. Some suggested homemade cures and
were certain their words were good.

But without divine intervention you were certain the was
no end to the rushing illness that had held you alone so long.

Then this morning your neighbor told you the Anointed One
was just outside of town. She had run ahead of the crowd
to tell you the news. Could this be your day? Could he
be the one? How to approach him? How to carry your
pain to him?

You decided to simply touch him, to delicately grasp
a part of his garment, and hope and faith it; and stealthily
make it a moment that no one would notice. You wended
and curled your way through the crowd and seeing him
you extended your arm cautiously. You touched him barely
and could feel the pain leaving like a visitor who had stayed
too long.

You did not want to disturb him, but he turned and asked,
“Who touched me?” You knelt at his feet and confessed your deed.
And he touched you this time and set you on your feet.
And softly said with authority like a king, “Today, today,
is the end of your suffering.”