We go today to Capernaum to meet our Her of the Month. Jesus is walking toward the home of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, whose 12-year-old daughter is dying. The crowd is tightly packed, each person trying to see the action, to hear Jesus’ words.

Suddenly Jesus asks, “Who touched me?” What a crazy question in this sardine can of a crowd.  When the disciples point this out to him, Jesus replies, “Someone touched me; I know the power has gone out from me.”

We scan the throng and, finally, notice a woman behind Jesus. She’s trembling and her eyes are darting around, as if seeking an escape route. By now Jesus has turned toward her and is looking at her, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Having been found out, she falls at Jesus’ feet and begins to pour our her story—in front of everyone.

“Twelve years ago my monthly cycle became very heavy and to this day has not stopped. I have seen doctors who take my money but give me no cure. I live in a small room at the back of our lovely home. My meals are left for me outside the door. I cannot see my children. I cannot serve my family. I am weary and weak, and I am losing my will to live. I am unclean and, according to our law, anyone who comes in contact with me also becomes unclean. I am avoided as if I were a leper.

“But I heard about you, Jesus. I heard that you make the blind see and the lame walk. And I thought ‘If only I can get close enough to touch even the hem of his robe I will be healed.’ So I gathered my courage and came to you to touch you. That touch brought me instant healing!”

Stunned, we hear Jesus’ response to this unnamed woman before he continues on his way to the house of Jairus, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Here’s a question: Where are you in this story? 

Are you in the crowd, following Jesus to see what’s going to happen today, gathering information to help you decide how you will respond to Jesus? Are you one of the disciples, trying to manage the crowds and the Lord (who sometimes asks crazy questions)?

Are you a friend or family member of this woman, someone who has watched her waste away for years with a seemingly unchangeable situation? Are you feeling hopeless on behalf of someone else?

Are you the woman who has suffered pain, disgrace, loss; who has spent all you have for help that has been no help at all; who is out of options. Maybe others know your suffering, but perhaps there is something that is eating away at you from the inside—from your heart or mind—that you have never spoken aloud to another soul.

Jesus is in your neighborhood today, indeed he is there every day. Gather your courage and reach out to touch him. He is waiting with love and power to meet you right where you are.

Perhaps you, precious reader, are September 2020’s Her of the Month.

Go in peace,

Ginger

You can read all three accounts about this counter with Jesus at Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, and Luke 8:40-55