Emotionally Spent and Needing a Touch

I guess I was not unlike others who stood in a pulpit yesterday morning to preach, with mixed emotions.  The week had been marked with the report of sexual abuse cover-up among Southern Baptist ministers and the release of over 700 names of some who were found guilty or confessed to sexual abuse. Far too many names were familiar. I have been both sad and angry.  The week was also marked by the tragic mass shooting in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.  Having experienced a mass shooting in my own home church, my thoughts were on rewind all week. Then Monday (today) was Memorial Day, which is certainly worthy of Sunday remembrance. So, what to preach on Sunday?  I approached the day feeling both emotional and spiritually dry. It was as though all energy had been sucked out of me.  So, I just preached about Jesus.  In the experience recorded in Mark 5:21-34, Jesus felt the power go out of Him.  “Who touched me?” He said.  He was touched lightly by a need (vs. 25-28).  He was affected drastically by a touch (vs. 29-30).  The need was screened out by untouched disciples (vs. 31). The one with a need was healed and helped by the touchable One (vs. 32-34). I reminded myself to look around this week – someone might need a touch from Jesus.  It might even be me.