Mark 5;24-34

          October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I wanted to share this meditation in memory to those who died in spite of their fight against cancer, and in honor of many women and men who, despite being diagnosed with this terrible disease do not give up; they fight and embrace hope.  Today’s sermon is based on the story found in three Gospels and is about a bleeding woman who touched Jesus’ garment. Her story is one of those similar to many women and men that we know; it’s a story of not allowing a disease to define who she was; it’s a story of taking a leap of faith that is rooted in radical boldness.

There are many areas in life that breast cancer can touch. One of those areas is time. The woman from our story was subject to bleeding for twelve years. That is a long time. Most health issues we deal with do not last that long. A cold last a few days, the flu maybe a week; some injuries may take several months to heal. However, breast cancer is different. So many men and women and their families who deal with breast cancer their realities are like running a marathon — Doctors’ appointments, Outpatient treatment, Inpatient treatment, Surgeries, Recovery, etc., etc. Something is going on in their life every morning and every evening for days, weeks, months, and years. 

         Besides time, breast cancer, as in the story from the gospel touches peoples’ status. This woman’s condition meant that she was considered -according to the law- religiously unclean, and anyone who touches her would be considered unclean as well. Maybe her husband left her because he did not want to be with an unclean woman. This woman’s condition meant she could not bear children. And without a man by her side, she lost a lot of the status a respected woman had in those days’ society. Some things shouldn’t be, but sometimes cancer brings a stigma. Maybe because the physical toll of chemo and radiation. Perhaps it is the appearance of cancer itself. But some cancer patients feel as if people treat them as if their condition is contagious. Or even worst, in the XXI century, some people still have the twisted idea that cancer in general is the result of sin for which people are being punished. That is something so far from being true.

            Another area that breasts cancer touches are our finances. In our story, this woman had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, “yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.” I do not think it is necessary to talk about our health insurance system right now. However, Cancer is the number one illness insurance companies get profits from. Medical bills are the number one reason for bankruptcy in the United States. Medical treatments are expensive even if one has good health insurance; the out-of-pocket expenses is impressive. Now, imagine how a long treatment will affect the finances of cancer patients. 

Body strength is another area affected by Breast Cancer and all types of cancer. The woman from our story had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse. Cancer patients know well that in facing their disease, they can get worse before they get better. The result of chemotherapy and radiation can, at times, seem worse than the disease itself. I had an aunt that, after the third treatment, she chose to die before continuing with the Chemo. My father was the same. During my chaplaincy in Aurora Hospital in Elkhorn, WI, I saw how patients look after a chemotherapy session, no strength at all.  

Breast Cancer can do a lot of terrible things to one’s body. Therefore, I sincerely believe those women and men struggling with it are heroes. Heroes who never choose that battle they are fighting. But they face it bravely every day.

The unknown woman from the gospel besides teaching us what Cancer can take away also teaches us what Cancer cannot take away. Breast Cancer cannot touch or take away one’s faith. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” After the miracle, Jesus affirmed that it was her faith that made her well. Now, please do not jump to the conclusion that if people do not heal is because of a lack of faith. No, because faith is not to get what we want when we want it. Faith is moving forward regardless of the circumstances. Faith is the blessed assurance that we belong to the Lord, and our life is hidden with Christ in God.

Breast Cancer cannot touch Love. Relationships are the result of Love. Love was Jesus’ answer to this woman’s need. Without the help of their loved ones, it could be almost impossible to survive or fight Cancer. Thanks God, for the caregivers, for those friends and family members who are always there.

Now, if you are struggling with Cancer and you believe you are a burden to your family or friends, let me remind you, you are not, you are a loved person, someone worthy to fight with and to fight for.

One more thing, cancer cannot touch is eternity. A few years ago, I had the privilege to meet Jane Coleman when she was in the final stage of cancer. Among many things, she told me and taught me was this: “people feel sorry for me,” she said, “because I am a terminal patient. What they do not know is that we all are terminal, the difference is that I have the advantage to know when I will die and can make all the arrangements.” “I know,” she continued saying, “this life is not the end; something better is waiting for me.”

A high number of people will die this year because of Breast cancer, but if they had placed their trust in Jesus, -As Jane Coleman- there is nothing that will separate them from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Eternity belongs to them.