SUNDAY OF THE HEMORRHAGING WOMAN
Liturgical Notes:

    On this third Sunday of Lent, the necessity of faith in the power and compassion of Jesus shines forth. The poor woman who was lost in the crowd thought that no one would notice her -- not even the Master himself. Yet Jesus stopped everyone in order to speak to the woman.

Jairus, the president of the synagogue, asked Jesus to come to his house and lay his hands upon his only child. The centurion had more faith. He told Jesus that he was not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof, but Jesus had only to say the word and the boy would be healed (Matthew 8:8). However, the faith of the sick woman surpassed even that of Jairus or the centurion. According to the Law, she was "unclean" and she considered herself as nobody, not even worthy to speak to the Lord. She simply lost herself in the crowd and sought to touch the tassels of Jesus' robe.

All devout Jews wore robes with fringes on them (Numbers 15:37-41). Attached to the fringes were four tassels of white thread with blue thread woven through them. These fringes and tassels served to remind the Jew that he was a man of God and required to observe God's law.

On his way to Jairus' house, many people followed Jesus and pressed upon him. The hemorrhaging woman was part of the crowd. She had spent all of her money on medicine and doctors, but was never cured. Jesus was her only hope. She felt that if she could get close to him and touch only the tassels of his robe, she would be healed. Upon touching one of the tassels, she was healed instantly. Jesus wanted to exalt the faith of the woman who touched him and wanted to speak with the woman. The woman came and knelt before him. Jesus, not desiring to embarrass her but to exalt her faith said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease." It is only our faith in the Lord that brings us true health.

The sick woman was an unimportant member of the crowd following Jesus, but she was important to Jesus. To Jesus, each of us is important and worthy of all of his attention. It is encouraging to know that we -- unimportant in the eyes of the world -- are most valuable in the eyes of almighty God.

Everyday our lives touch not only the tassels of the Lord, but his most sacred body and precious blood. After the celebration of the Divine Mysteries, the priest recites or sings, "I have consumed your Holy Body. Let them see your abundant mercy. I have shared in the Holy Mysteries. Let me join you in your heavenly abode."