At Wrigley Field in Chicago, where the Cubs play baseball, there used to be a little opening in the exterior of the ball park near right field, a hole in the wall, where you could see a bit of the actual ball field. (I think recent developments have taken this away.) It was interesting to watch children, and some adults, strain at this small opening to see what they could of what was happening inside the stadium. They were, literally, on the outside looking in.
That happens to us. Those of us who have had bumpy professional rides can look at those with well-established careers and wonder that that must be like. Some who hope to be in relationships look at couples who seem to be doing well, and wish for something like that for themselves. Those who long to be fully welcomed into church, but have been either ignored or shunned for varieties of reasons, know exactly what this is like to be on the outside of the church’s embrace. And those who have dreamt of justice for themselves but are routinely denied a full seat at the table know all too well what it is like to be on the “outside” looking in.
The biblical passage for Sunday includes a story of one such person. (Actually, there are two stories in the passage, but we’ll address that on Sunday.) In this story, a woman has been suffering from a long-term malady that is not only physically depleting, but keeps her from being able to worship. She is considered ritually ‘unclean’. In the story, even though she is in the midst of a large crowd, she is on the outside looking in at the possibility of living a restored life. And so, believing that she can be healed if she would only touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she does so. Jesus notices this connection, and calls out for whomever has touched him to reveal themselves. Trembling, the woman identifies herself. Jesus commends her for her faith. Her story is a witness that God longed for us all to be “inside”, not “outside”. This faith has made her whole.
We’ll talk about what this means for all of us on Sunday in worship. The sermon is titled “On the Outside Looking In”, arising from Mark 5: 21-43. The passage will be read by Ceci Maron-Puntarelli and Tory Puntarelli. Music Leadership will be provided by the Sanctuary Singers, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, as they present the anthem “What Wondrous Love Is This?” There will be hymns, prayers and a moment for children.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for decades, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here or on the live stream at 10:30am this Sunday at www.smumc.church.