If only I can touch his cloak
REFLECTIONS TODAY
The woman who has been suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years quietly expresses her faith in Jesus. She helps herself and reaches out to touch his cloak. Nobody has told her to do so; never has Jesus healed a person without any articulation of the need and his consent. Yet it works even as Jesus’ attention is focused on another concern: to cure the daughter of a synagogue official. Jesus turns around and affirms the faith of the woman: “Your faith has saved you.” Her faith has merited not only healing, but also her salvation.
It pays to follow Christ in faith without noise, especially when we are in dire need. Jesus dispenses his blessings in all directions to those who have faith in him.
There is a great commotion in the house of the synagogue official. After the noisy people are sent away, Jesus performs a miracle. The girl arises as Jesus takes her by the hand. Jesus heals her because of the faith of her father. We call this vicarious faith.
Gospel • Mt 9:18-26
While 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.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for 12 years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.