MATTHEW 9:20-22
HEALING A WOMAN SUFFERING HEMORRHAGES
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 9:20-22, we encounter a deeply moving account of Jesus’ healing of a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. This passage highlights both the physical suffering and the social isolation she endured due to her condition, which, according to Jewish law, rendered her ritually unclean (Lev 15:25-27). In her desperation, the woman approaches Jesus in faith, believing that simply touching the fringe of His garment would heal her. This moment reflects not only the deep faith she had in Christ’s divine power but also the courage she exhibited in breaking societal norms by touching Jesus, an act that could have been seen as contaminating Him under Jewish purity laws.
Jesus’ response to the woman’s silent act of faith is profound. Rather than rebuking her for violating cultural and religious norms, He acknowledges her faith and proclaims her healed. This interaction underscores the transformative power of faith in Christ, where societal and ritual barriers are overcome by divine compassion and mercy. The passage invites readers to reflect on their own faith, especially in times of suffering, and highlights the importance of trusting in Christ’s ability to heal not only physical ailments but also emotional and spiritual wounds. Through this miracle, Jesus demonstrates His authority over illness and the purity laws, emphasizing that faith in Him leads to complete restoration and salvation.
Matthew 9:20 “And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment.”
This passage presents a profound story of faith, suffering, and healing. The woman mentioned had been suffering from a bleeding disorder for twelve years, which rendered her ritually impure according to Jewish law (Lev 15:25-27). This meant she was not only dealing with the physical pain of her condition but was also socially isolated, unable to participate in normal religious and communal life. Despite this, she exhibited great courage by approaching Jesus in faith, believing that just touching His garment would bring her healing.
Faith in Action
Her decision to reach out and touch the fringe, or tassel, of Jesus’ cloak reflects her deep faith in His power to heal, even through indirect contact. These tassels (tzitzit) were worn by observant Jewish men in accordance with the commandments of Numbers 15:38-39, symbolizing God’s commandments and the wearer’s holiness. By choosing to touch this part of His garment, the woman acknowledges Jesus not only as a healer but also as a holy figure, embodying God’s law and mercy.
The Catholic Church sees in this woman’s faith a reflection of the sacramental principle: that God’s grace can be mediated through physical objects and actions, just as His healing power flowed through Jesus’ garment. This idea resonates with the Church’s use of sacramentals – tangible items like holy water, crucifixes, and medals – which, while not sacraments, are channels of grace through faith (CCC 1667-1670).
Jesus’ Response
Rather than rebuking her for breaking social and religious norms, Jesus acknowledges her faith. In fact, in Mark’s version of this account (Mk 5:34), Jesus lovingly calls her “daughter,” restoring not just her health, but her dignity and status within the community. This reveals that Jesus, who fulfills the Law, prioritizes mercy and faith over ritual purity. His healing not only cures her physical ailment but brings her back into right relationship with God and society.
Catholic Teachings
The story of this woman teaches several important lessons. Firstly, it underscores the power of faith in approaching God for healing. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1504) teaches, Christ continues to heal us through the sacraments, particularly in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Just as the woman reached out to touch Jesus in faith, so we, through the sacraments, come into contact with the healing grace of Christ.
Furthermore, this passage also emphasizes perseverance in faith, as seen in James 5:14-15: “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Like the woman, we are called to persist in faith and trust in God’s healing, both for our physical and spiritual needs.
Reflection
The woman’s story challenges us to reflect on how we approach Jesus in our times of need. Despite her suffering and social isolation, she reached out to Him in faith, believing in His power to heal her. In the same way, we are called to come to Jesus with boldness, confident that He can heal our deepest wounds—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Often, we let fear, shame, or doubt keep us from approaching Christ. This passage encourages us to push through these barriers, trusting in His mercy and compassion.
In today’s world, many people suffer from conditions that isolate them, whether through illness, mental health struggles, or other personal challenges. Like the woman in the Gospel, they may feel unworthy or distant from God’s grace. This story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus’ healing power. His desire is to restore not just physical health but the wholeness of each person’s soul and their place in the community.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, We thank You for the gift of faith and for the healing touch of Your Son, Jesus. Like the woman who reached out to Him, give us the courage to approach You with confidence in our times of need. Heal us in body, mind, and spirit, and restore us to fullness of life in You. Help us to trust in Your mercy and never let us feel unworthy of Your love. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Matthew 9:21 “For she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’”
The verse from Matthew 9:21 tells the story of a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve long years. In her desperation, she believed that touching even the fringe of Jesus’ cloak would heal her. This moment reveals her profound faith, grounded in Jewish traditions where physical contact with holy objects was often seen as a means of accessing divine power. For this woman, Jesus was the source of that divine power.
In Catholic teaching, this passage highlights several core principles:
1. Faith and Healing: The woman’s belief in Jesus’ ability to heal her through even the slightest physical connection underscores the importance of faith as a conduit for God’s healing grace. Her trust in Christ mirrors the Catholic understanding that faith is essential in receiving divine grace and mercy. Through her faith, the woman encountered Jesus’ healing power, much like the faithful today can experience God’s grace through the sacraments.
2. The Power of Christ: Jesus’ ability to heal the woman, even through something as simple as the touch of His garment, demonstrates His divine nature. This reflects the Catholic belief in Christ’s power over all forms of illness and affliction, both physical and spiritual. His miracles are a sign of His divine authority and His compassion for human suffering.
3. Personal Encounter with Christ: The woman’s desire to touch Jesus’ cloak reflects the Catholic emphasis on personal encounters with Christ. This is seen in the Church’s sacramental life, where physical signs (such as bread, wine, oil, and water) become means through which believers encounter God’s grace. Her action prefigures the sacramental understanding that God’s grace is communicated through tangible, physical realities.
Catechism Reference:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1504) reinforces this understanding of faith and healing. It teaches that Jesus’ healings are a sign of the Kingdom of God and emphasize the centrality of faith in receiving divine grace. It states: “Christ’s compassion toward the sick and His numerous healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited His people’ and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand” (CCC 1503). This aligns with the woman’s story, as her healing not only demonstrates the physical cure but also represents the spiritual healing that comes through an encounter with Christ.
Reflection:
As Christians, the story of the woman with the hemorrhage invites us to reflect on the strength of our own faith. Despite her suffering and the social barriers she faced, she took the initiative to seek out Jesus, convinced that He alone could restore her. Her faith was active, and her determination paid off with instant healing.
In our own lives, we are called to approach Jesus with the same trust and faith. Just as the woman touched His cloak, we are invited to reach out to Christ through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Confession. These moments of encounter offer us the same grace and healing that she experienced. By coming to Christ in humility and trust, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His grace in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the example of the woman who touched Your cloak in faith. Help us to approach You with the same trust, believing in Your power to heal and restore us. In moments of doubt and weakness, grant us the grace to turn to You, trusting in Your mercy. May Your healing power touch every aspect of our lives, both body and soul. Strengthen our faith, and help us to seek You always, especially through the sacraments of Your Church. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Matthew 9:22: “Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, ‘Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.’ And from that hour the woman was cured.”
This verse recounts one of the many healing miracles performed by Jesus during His ministry, highlighting His compassion, awareness, and the power of faith. In this specific instance, a woman suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years seeks healing by touching the fringe of Jesus’ cloak, believing in His power to heal. Her faith is rewarded as she is healed instantly, and Jesus responds to her with kindness and affirmation, calling her “daughter” and acknowledging her faith as the cause of her healing.
Key Themes in the Miracle
1. The Power of Faith
The woman’s act of faith is central to the miracle. Despite her illness, which rendered her ritually unclean and socially isolated under Jewish law (Lev 15:25-27), she trusted that Jesus could heal her. By touching His cloak, she demonstrates not only her belief in His power but also her willingness to take action. Jesus affirms that her faith is the reason for her healing, underscoring the importance of faith in experiencing God’s grace and power.
2. Jesus’ Compassion and Awareness
Though surrounded by a crowd, Jesus immediately recognizes the woman’s touch, demonstrating His awareness of individual needs even in a large group. His address to her as “daughter” reflects a deep level of care and personal connection, affirming her dignity and place within the community. This gentle interaction showcases the compassionate nature of Jesus’ ministry, where He not only heals but also restores individuals emotionally and spiritually.
3. Healing and Restoration
The woman’s healing is both physical and symbolic. While her hemorrhage ceases, she also experiences a spiritual and social restoration. According to Jewish law, her condition would have excluded her from religious and social participation, but Jesus’ healing of her body also restores her to her community. By calling her “daughter,” He reintegrates her into God’s family, showing that His ministry is about more than just physical healing – He brings holistic restoration.
Jewish and Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, those suffering from ailments such as hemorrhages were considered ritually unclean. This would have left the woman isolated from society and barred her from participating in religious activities. Her condition not only caused physical suffering but also social alienation. However, the woman’s faith transcends these barriers. She approaches Jesus in a bold act of trust, believing that He can heal her despite the cultural taboos.
Catholic Teaching on Faith and Healing
The Catholic Church teaches that faith is an essential component in receiving healing and grace from God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1504) teaches that “often Jesus asks the sick to believe,” reinforcing that faith is necessary to access God’s healing power. The woman’s healing demonstrates this principle – her faith is the key to her restoration, much like how faith continues to be central to the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, through which Christ heals spiritually and physically according to God’s will (CCC 1499-1513).
Jesus’ words to the woman – “Your faith has saved you” – mirror other Gospel accounts where faith is a catalyst for divine intervention (Mt 8:10, Lk 17:19). This affirms that salvation and healing are connected to a personal trust in Jesus. Faith, in this context, is not just intellectual belief but an active, lived expression of trust in God’s mercy.
Reflection
In modern life, many individuals experience forms of isolation and suffering, though not necessarily due to ritual laws. Feelings of shame, unworthiness, or societal exclusion can deeply affect one’s sense of belonging. The healing of the hemorrhaging woman reminds us that Jesus sees beyond outward conditions and recognizes our deepest needs. He calls each of us to reach out in faith, trusting in His compassionate power to heal and restore.
This passage invites us to deepen our own faith, trusting that, like the woman, we can come to Jesus with our brokenness, knowing that He responds to our needs with love. Whether or not we experience physical healing, we are assured that Christ is aware of our struggles and offers spiritual restoration and peace.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, healer of souls and bodies, we come before You with faith, trusting in Your mercy and love. Just as You healed the woman who touched Your cloak, we ask that You heal our wounds, both seen and unseen. Help us to grow in faith, to always reach out to You in our moments of need, believing that You will restore us. Grant us the grace to trust in Your will and to always seek You with open hearts, Amen.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the story of the woman suffering from hemorrhages in Matthew 9:20-22 is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of faith in Christ. Despite years of suffering and the social stigma that isolated her, she exhibited profound trust in Jesus’ power by daring to touch the hem of His garment. Her healing was not only physical but also a spiritual and communal restoration. Jesus’ response to her faith, affirming her as “daughter,” reveals His deep compassion and willingness to transcend social and religious boundaries to bring healing to those in need. This passage encourages us to reflect on our own faith, challenging us to approach Jesus boldly, even in moments of doubt and isolation.
Moreover, this story highlights Jesus’ divine authority and the role of faith in accessing His healing grace. The woman’s silent act of faith teaches us the value of persistence, trust, and belief in the Lord’s power to heal both body and soul. Just as the woman’s life was restored through her encounter with Christ, we too are called to seek Jesus in the sacraments and prayer, trusting in His mercy to heal our wounds, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. In His love, Jesus invites us all to experience the fullness of life and restoration in Him.
PRAYER
Loving Father, we thank You for the gift of faith and the healing power of Your Son, Jesus. Give us the courage to approach Him with trust, just as the woman with the hemorrhage did. Heal us in every way we need – body, mind, and spirit – and restore us to wholeness. Help us to trust in Your boundless mercy and to believe in the power of Your grace to transform our lives. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.