Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years.
She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had,
but instead of getting better, she was worse.
Because she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind him and touched his cloak, thinking,
“If I just touch his clothing, I shall get well.” Her flow of blood dried up at once,
and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint.
But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd,
and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding around you.
Why do you ask who touched you?” But he kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman,
aware of what had happened, came forward, trembling and afraid. She knelt before him, and told him the whole truth.
Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be free of this illness.”
While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official’s house to inform him, “Your daughter is dead.
Why trouble the Master any further?” But Jesus ignored what they said, and told the official, “Do not fear, just believe.”
And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered,
and said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”
They laughed at him. So Jesus sent them outside, and went with the child’s father and mother and his companions into the room,
where the child lay. Taking her by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha kumi!” which means, “Little girl, get up!”
The girl got up at once and began to walk around. (She was twelve years old.) The parents were amazed, greatly amazed.
Jesus strictly ordered not to let anyone know about it; and he told them to give her something to eat.
REFLECTION:
"The truth shall set you free” is an old saying, which unfortunately is no longer appreciated and practiced in our days.
How many fake news do we hear and read every day? At present, it is difficult to identify which is the truth and who says the truth.
The woman in the gospel is an exemplar of one who speaks the truth in spite of fear.
Fear to be reprimanded does not hinder her from telling the truth.
Her determination to touch Jesus even just his clothing and her confidence that she will be healed was rewarded.
Jesus heals her, not only physically but also spiritually. Peace is the usual translation of the Hebrew shalom.
Shalom is the Hebrew greeting to wish a person happiness, well-being, good health, and prosperity.
To tell the truth gives us peace of mind and heart.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020
