The Official’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage

Today's Reflections

The Official’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage

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Mt 9:18-26

¹⁸While [Jesus was speaking to the crowd], an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. ²⁰A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. ²¹She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
²²Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

²³When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, ²⁴he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. ²⁵When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. ²⁶And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Reflection:

If only I can touch his cloak. According to Jewish custom it is prohibited for a woman to touch any Jewish male, especially one who is a religious leader. The woman in the Gospel, however, has a great need that she is willing to cross the socio-cultural barrier. By touch she thinks that the healing power of Jesus can be transmitted. It is not enough to see Jesus, to listen to him. For her, it is better to go to Jesus, to be near him, and make contact. She has been suffering for twelve long and painful years. She perseveres despite suffering in the hands of doctors and spending much of her fortune. The hemorrhage has made her ritually unclean; she is thus prohibited from entering the temple and taking part in her community’s activities. She has been socially alienated, socially dead.

The woman believes that Jesus can heal. But she does not wait for him to come. She initiates the encounter by approaching him. She has a good intention and she is rewarded in the process. With her faith she is not disappointed. As he heals, Jesus restores meaning to her life. He brings her back to communal solidarity. She is dignified to be called “daughter,” a child of God.

What physical and spiritual healing

do I need to ask from God for myself and for others?