The second healing mystery:
Jesus rewards the woman of courage
“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” (Matt. 9:22)
She wasn’t supposed to be out in public, touching a man’s clothes, or causing a stir that would embarrass her family. But the hemorrhaging woman had suffered too much for too long to behave by social norms that didn’t serve her and couldn’t save her. She trusted Jesus. Good for her!
Jesus, bless the courageous ones who won’t sit quietly by and suffer without taking their destiny in their own hands.
This week we will continue looking at the article from US Catholic highlighting a new mystery to our beloved Rosary; the healing mystery. Pope John Paul II added this mystery back in 2002, but the author of the article brought it out of hiding during this time of pandemic.
This second week we meditate on Matthew Chapter 9 and specifically line 22, however I always like to look at the whole passage and/or chapter to get a better understanding of where Jesus is coming from and where we, his followers, should go.
Matthew’s Chapter 9 begins with the healing of the paralytic. Jesus enters into his town and he is called to a man on a stretcher. Jesus tells the man that his sins have been forgiven and he can get up and walk, which leaves the passerbyers stunned. First, they think that Jesus is blaspheming, and second how can he get up and walk? As so many parents in our parish, and around the city, prepare their children for their First Reconciliation, and our adults in RCIA prepare for their First Reconciliation, this passage lends itself to them, and to us all during this penitential season. Hearing the words “your sins are forgiven,” is freeing. Jesus does reply back when questioned and he replies; “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” Both we hear, and probably think a lot, but really how easy is it to hear either of those phrases?
Fr. Rich Andre does an amazing job reminding us all that once we leave the Confessional, our sins are forgiven, but it is up to us to know and trust that our sins are forgiven. When Jesus says which is easier to accept your sins are forgiven or to rise up and walk, what flashes in your mind? For me, rise up and walk flashes first. It is easier for me to acknowledge that I can get up and walk, rather than accept God the Father forgives me the sinner.
This first passage of Matthew 9 flows well into Matthew 9:22. Jesus is asked to lay hands on a girl and wakes her from the dead. In the process of making his way to the dead girl, another woman, who had been bleeding for 12 years, touched Jesus’ cloak and was cured. Again, just like above, Jesus told the hemorrhaging woman that her faith had saved her.
In the case of these two people in Matthew 9, their faith saved them. They trusted Jesus’ healing touch and words and in return their faith saved them. Where are you in this story? Which scene are you drawn to and who are you? Are you Jesus forgiving and healing, or are you the person who needs the healing? Or are you a bystander?
Lent is a great time to place ourselves within the Scriptures, especially the Stations, as we prepare ourselves for Christ’s death and resurrection. As we make our way through these healing passages while meditating on the Rosary, let’s remember the healing that goes on within us and the effect it has on those around us just like the man who was able to get up and walk, the woman who stopped bleeding, and the woman who rose from the dead affected those around them and as word spread of Jesus’ healing powers.