Today we see Jesus as healer and giver of life. Matthew's version of this story inside a story is much shorter than Mark's (Mk 5:21-43). A Jewish official approaches Jesus in great distress. His little daughter has just died but he believes that Jesus' touch can help her. While they are on the way a woman, who had a chronic bleeding problem for over 12 years, approached furtively. She had to keep her problem secret because, if the people around her knew of it, she would have been accused of spreading her 'uncleanness'. But she was convinced that, if she only touched the hem of Jesus' cloak, she would be healed. And she was right. Jesus heals her and praises her courage in taking such a risk. Her healing also meant that she could now mix freely with people again. The crowd also laughed when Jesus said the official's girl was just asleep. He then took her by the hand and she rose up. It was her resurrection to life.

Let us too ask for healing and life and, where we can, to be a source of healing and life for others.