WOMAN WITH THE HAEMORRHAGE
Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 9:18-26
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:Who was the woman in today's gospel, the woman with the hemorrhages?
Matthew does not tell us her name. Rather, he identifies her by her sickness, which was serious. What was it like for that woman, enduring bleeding for twelve long years?
Certainly, she had tried many remedies, yet still, there she was, bleeding again, probably anemic, "unclean" according to Jewish law. That day she may have been hot, dusty, and miserable, but still, she didn't give up.
Let's picture her now, quietly jostling her way through a noisy, rowdy crowd. She's planning to reach out, simply to touch Jesus' garment. That contact alone, she believes, can cure her. One simple touch will remedy what 12 years of doctors and medicine could not. No, we don't know her name, but she certainly has faith in Jesus' power. And she is not disappointed!
This nameless little woman elbows her way past one more big, sweaty man, and yes! Finally! She's close enough now! She reaches out - way out - and the tip of her finger barely brushes ever so lightly over the tassel of His cloak. And she is instantly cured! She is sure of it - and so is Jesus!
At that moment, He turns around, and - oh no! He's seeking her out!
She freezes in fear! She's mortified! So embarrassed that she wishes she could disappear right into the dust beneath her feet. She hadn't planned anything more than to touch Him; that was all! She hadn't planned to confront Him, hadn't wanted any personal contact. Perhaps this nameless woman is shy by nature; perhaps she never calls attention to herself. She doesn't want attention now, certainly not here in this huge, boisterous crowd. Everyone will see!
But Jesus wants to see her, to look into her eyes, face to face. Reassure her that all is well, that she will never suffer from this malady again. And she needn't be embarrassed at all. He wants her to know that it was His power that cured her, of course, but the reason for it was because of her faith. Her complete, blind trust in Him.
So here He is, this Jewish healer, this miracle man that everyone's talking about. Right in front of her! How frightened she is to confront Him!
But wait - suddenly she knows there's nothing to fear. No. Because He looks at her with a deep kindness like she's never known. His eyes are full of mercy and love. And recognition too, as if He's known her forever. As if He's waited for all eternity, just to arrive at this moment. Here, now, with her. As if they are the only two people on the planet - right in the middle of this crazy, rowdy crowd. And with a beautiful smile, He looks at her and says the words she will never forget:
"Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."
And with that simple sentence, she is a changed woman. Not just her body, but her whole being. Her soul is filled with light, and flooded with peace, just looking at His face, His smile, and hearing His words.
And now, perhaps, we finally know her name.
Perhaps . . . her name is . . . Faith.
O Lord Jesus,
give me the strong faith of the woman in today's gospel.
Let me never give up,
and please give me the faith to trust You for my healing,
in every respect.
Amen.
- Mary Nadeau | email: marynadeau3( )gmail.com
Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 9:18-26
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:Who was the woman in today's gospel, the woman with the hemorrhages?
Matthew does not tell us her name. Rather, he identifies her by her sickness, which was serious. What was it like for that woman, enduring bleeding for twelve long years?
Certainly, she had tried many remedies, yet still, there she was, bleeding again, probably anemic, "unclean" according to Jewish law. That day she may have been hot, dusty, and miserable, but still, she didn't give up.
Let's picture her now, quietly jostling her way through a noisy, rowdy crowd. She's planning to reach out, simply to touch Jesus' garment. That contact alone, she believes, can cure her. One simple touch will remedy what 12 years of doctors and medicine could not. No, we don't know her name, but she certainly has faith in Jesus' power. And she is not disappointed!
This nameless little woman elbows her way past one more big, sweaty man, and yes! Finally! She's close enough now! She reaches out - way out - and the tip of her finger barely brushes ever so lightly over the tassel of His cloak. And she is instantly cured! She is sure of it - and so is Jesus!
At that moment, He turns around, and - oh no! He's seeking her out!
She freezes in fear! She's mortified! So embarrassed that she wishes she could disappear right into the dust beneath her feet. She hadn't planned anything more than to touch Him; that was all! She hadn't planned to confront Him, hadn't wanted any personal contact. Perhaps this nameless woman is shy by nature; perhaps she never calls attention to herself. She doesn't want attention now, certainly not here in this huge, boisterous crowd. Everyone will see!
But Jesus wants to see her, to look into her eyes, face to face. Reassure her that all is well, that she will never suffer from this malady again. And she needn't be embarrassed at all. He wants her to know that it was His power that cured her, of course, but the reason for it was because of her faith. Her complete, blind trust in Him.
So here He is, this Jewish healer, this miracle man that everyone's talking about. Right in front of her! How frightened she is to confront Him!
But wait - suddenly she knows there's nothing to fear. No. Because He looks at her with a deep kindness like she's never known. His eyes are full of mercy and love. And recognition too, as if He's known her forever. As if He's waited for all eternity, just to arrive at this moment. Here, now, with her. As if they are the only two people on the planet - right in the middle of this crazy, rowdy crowd. And with a beautiful smile, He looks at her and says the words she will never forget:
"Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."
And with that simple sentence, she is a changed woman. Not just her body, but her whole being. Her soul is filled with light, and flooded with peace, just looking at His face, His smile, and hearing His words.
And now, perhaps, we finally know her name.
Perhaps . . . her name is . . . Faith.
O Lord Jesus,
give me the strong faith of the woman in today's gospel.
Let me never give up,
and please give me the faith to trust You for my healing,
in every respect.
Amen.
- Mary Nadeau | email: marynadeau3( )gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment