We are instructed about a woman who had an issue of blood for a period of twelve years. According to Jewish purity laws this woman was to be separated from the community until this flow of blood stopped and she could be purified. Here we hear from the Book of Leviticus: “When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days.”
This woman in question had not put up this for a short period of time. She instead had to endure this trial for what had been 12 years. For this whole period of time she had been deemed to be unclean according to the Law.
With this in mind she makes a very profound action. She reaches out and touches the hem of the garment that Christ was wearing. Many would see no profound statement in this action. If one were a Jew they would see a profound statement here for the hem of this garment represents the Law.
For the Jew this fringe upon the garment is known as the tzitzit. Whenever the wearer of this garment walks these fringes hit them upon their legs and in doing so they are reminded of the Law of which they are to follow.
When this Jewish woman reaches out and grabs ahold of this hem she is pronouncing her faith in Christ. She grabs a hold of the very Law which had condemned her and through her faith in Christ healing is brought unto her. Through this healing she was able to return to the community for she had finally been healed.
I hope that we develop the faith of this woman found in our Gospel. She recognized the healing reality of Christ Jesus. Christ is the fulfillment of the prophets and the Law. Christ is that to which all of scripture is pointing towards.
In the midst of our own life there is a lot which overcomes us. We attempt to relieve this stress and these fears through many different avenues. May we realize in these moments that the one that we are in need of is Christ Jesus. This is the one to which our heart and soul now longs. What befalls us in this life may seem to be too much for us to handle, but that is not the case. If we have faith in Christ Jesus and come to embrace His Cross and Resurrection we to can see that this is the case.
