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 them not to let anyone know about it; and he told them to give her something to eat.
Lectio Divina:
READ: Jesus is requested by Jairus, a temple official to heal his daughter who fell ill.
Going with Jairus, Jesus unknowingly healed a woman suffering from bleeding for
twelve years. She touches the hem of His cloak and by faith she was healed. Meanwhile,
people from the home of Jairus informed him that his daughter already died and there
is no point in troubling Jesus further. But Jesus persisted and healed the little girl to
the great joy of her parents.
REFLECT: Two persons are in need of healing in today’s gospel. One is a little girl
and the other is a woman. The little girl naturally has her father to find ways and
means for her cure. That is why he, although a dignitary of the synagogue humbled
himself and begged Jesus to heal his daughter. Meantime, the mature woman has
no one but herself.
Both takes action, the father for his daughter and the woman for herself. And the
woman displayed extraordinary persistence. She knows that her position to ask Jesus
for healing is weak. She is a woman and has bleeding problems. Both are red flags for
religious personalities. She will not be entertained. And so, in desperation she touched
the hem of Jesus’ cloak. She believes that in doing so she will be healed. She is not
disappointed. It is her faith rather than a personal intervention on the part of Jesus
that cured her. Unlike the little girl where Jesus has to come personally and minister
to her. The woman has mature faith. The little girl has to depend on her father’s faith.
Both are images of how God intervenes in our lives according to our level of faith.
RESPOND: The sick needs our help. Perhaps today is a good day to pray for them
and those who take care of them. This is spiritual support. We can also extend words
of encouragement to them. This is moral support. And if we know somebody close
to us that is sick, perhaps we can lend a bit of our time and treasure to let them know
that we care.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021