How does it feel to be a social and religious 'pariah' for twelve years? Unthinkable. But that was the predicament of the woman who suffered from a haemorrhage for the whole extent of that period. Her suffering was not only confined to physical pain and humiliation, but also rendered her unclean - she was an untouchable. It would not only have alienated her from her friends and neighbours but also from her own family - husband and children - none of which could touch her for fear of being made unclean in turn. Unlike the synagogue official whose daughter had just died, the woman could not make any open request of Jesus. She lingered in the shadow of the crowds - trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Her only recourse was to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus' cloak - hoping that that action will go undetected. But Jesus noticed her touch. In the midst of the crowds that seemed to swarm around Jesus, He was still able to pick out that light and gentle touch of someone who really needed His help. In the midst of the disciples, the crowds, the petitioners who surrounded him, Jesus was still able to distinguish the touch of this woman, who would otherwise have gone unnoticed by others. Today, we receive consolation from this thought that no prayers of ours go unanswered or unnoticed. Jesus is ever present to us although we may not always be fully present to Him