‘What is the deepest human need?’ This question was posed to several people interviewed in the Alpha Australia film series. A few of the answers included worshipping something greater than ourselves, acceptance, money and love.

A few years ago, on a parish pilgrimage to Israel we visited the ancient city of Magdala. This city was a first-century port where the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee came to sell their fish and trade in the marketplace. It is believed that Jesus spent time preaching and walking these streets. We visited a special site called Duc in Altum, a unique building dedicated to prayer, teaching and worship. Beneath the building the ancient floor of the marketplace has been restored as part of the Encounter Chapel. The wall behind the altar is adorned with a magnificent mural of the moment the unwell woman in today’s Gospel who reaches out to touch the hem of Jesus’ tunic.

The painting zooms in, magnifying Jesus’ feet, the hem of his tunic and her delicate, wrinkled hand a few centimetres above the cobbled stone floor, reaching out in faith. The encounter is seen as a round sparkle of light at the centre of the mural. It was very touching to see the artwork in person, but the digital image is just as impactful.  To view image click here

This sacred art celebrates Jesus’ encounter with all of us. When we whole-heartedly seek Jesus, he is already near to us (Jeremiah 29:13) providing us with healing and love.

I think the deepest human need is an encounter with God. We just need to reach out. What do you think is the deepest human need?

by Vanessa Comninos