Two Stories in One
AM Psalm 106:1-18 • PM Psalm 106:19-48
Wisdom 16:15-17:1 • Rom. 14:13-23 • Luke 8:40-56
The reading from St. Luke today is close in wording to the readings in the other two synoptic gospels, Mark and Mathew. All three writers envelop the story of Jesus and the woman with the “issue of blood” into the story of the daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue.
Jairus asks Jesus to come with him to heal his twelve-year old daughter. Jesus starts off with him but is interrupted by a woman suffering from an “issue of blood,” that is, her unceasing menstruation—terribly embarrassing for me when I heard it in my youth in church of all places—, and offensive for the men who walk with Jesus toward Jairus’ house. The woman does not confront Jesus; she only touches the hem of his cloak. Luke doesn't presume to tell us what the woman is thinking, but Mark and Matthew do: “If only I can touch his cloak I shall get well.” None explain why she doesn't just ask him out loud for healing, but the crowd of men and her fear of drawing attention to herself are obvious motives. However, Jesus immediately senses her touch because he has felt power go out from him (a minor miracle worthy of another whole morning reflection), and he turns and asks who touched him. Now the woman must make herself conspicuous. She comes forward, falls to her knees, and explains that she needed healing. Tenderly, he says, “Daughter, it is your faith that has healed you. Now go in peace.” Jesus's response is characteristic. He focuses all his attention on the person who needs him most at that moment; he praises her faith; he does not embarrass her by alluding to her woman's problem; he immediately focuses on the next person in need—another “daughter”—, and continues toward Jairus’ house.
Messengers meet them and tell Jairus not to waste Jesus’ time because his daughter has died, but Jesus assures Jairus: “She is not dead, but asleep.” Jesus keeps going, and when he gets to the house, St. Luke tells us, “He took her by the hand and said, ‘Get up, child.’” She does get up, and Jesus orders her to be given something to eat. Only Luke of the three synoptic evangelists tells us that he took her by the hand. We, of all people since Luke first wrote his gospel, know how tender a touch can feel. For over a year we have longed for the touch of people we love, At last, we have wept or will soon weep with joy to feel that touch again. May the Lord touch us with his faith, hope, and love every day of our lives.
Written by John DuVal
On the Washington National Cathedral Morning Prayer and Reflection website, John and Kay recently heard Dean Randy Hollerith discuss the parallel scene in St. Mark. When Jesus tells Jairus' child to get up, Mark quotes his exact words, in Aramaic, Jesus' native tongue: “'talitha koum.' which means 'Little girl, get up.'” Dean Randy tells us that these are some of the very few words in the gospels quoted from Jesus' native speech and reminds us how privileged we are to hear them spoken by Jesus, tenderly, to a little girl. (All quotations today are from the New American Bible.)