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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

A woman… touched the tassel on his cloak

Opinion

A woman… touched the tassel on his cloak

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

In the book of Numbers (15:38), the Israelites are instructed to “make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner.” This dangling ornament is meant to serve as a reminder of God’s presence, salvation, and commandments.

In the Gospel, a woman suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years seeks to touch the tassel of Jesus’ garment, believing this contact will bring her some magical cure. Instead, she is healed not by contact with the tassel but by the word of Jesus, spoken in response to her faith. It is her personal encounter with Jesus that heals; Jesus declares that her faith is the source of the cure.

Still, touch is an important element of healing. According to Jewish worship laws, Jesus becomes ritually unclean by allowing himself to be touched by the woman with hemorrhages and by taking the dead girl’s hand to bring her back to life. Thus, the narrative is not just about Jesus healing the sick and raising the dead. It is also a story of Jesus giving and restoring life by doing exactly what he is not supposed to do—touching and letting himself be touched by those whom the Law has declared unclean and untouchable.

For healing to take place, touch is important. American psychologist Dr. Charles Gerkin says to those ministering to people, “If you are not willing to touch a homeless person, or an alcoholic, or a terribly dirty person, you psychologically are unwilling to minister to them.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected].

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