“Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.” Matthew 9:20-22
“As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”” Luke 8:42-48
This scene of Jesus’ life has deep meaning to me. I always find myself coming back to the words “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Read my book, “I Knew His Voice” to learn why.
Today meditating on this scene captured by Luke and Matthew, I watched it shown so well by ‘The Chosen.” I’ve watched this at least a dozen times and still find tears in my eyes. But, this morning, it struck my differently and more deeply.
In this scene, the Pharisee tries to say she is unclean, but, Jesus rebukes him saying, “she is clean!” The image of Divine Mercy flashes to my eyes.
The sinner kneeling at the feet of Jesus, unclean in his sin for so long. The sinner having faith, approaches Jesus, simply looking “if only I touch the fringe of His garment, I will be clean.” Full of faith and trust, he reaches and falls to his knees, overwhelmed to tears in the flow of cleansing power. The sinner knows immediately he is clean.
Jesus turns, looking around (knowing who) but asks, “who touched Me?” In fear and some shame, the sinner says, “me, don’t worry, I didn’t make you unclean.” Jesus responds, “My son…”. The sinner cuts in saying, “no, I am not..”. Jesus lovingly rebukes him, “You are My son, your faith has made you clean. You have blessed Me today with your trust, My son. Go now in peace, your faith and trust has made you clean.”
Do you have the absolute faith and trust in Jesus’ Divine Mercy that you can approach Him through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confessing your ‘illness’ because you know He can make you clean? Go! Now, push through the crowds and noise, reach for the tassel on His garment and trust. Have faith!