When this woman says to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well,” she knows what could happen. But she also knows no one must see what she is about to do. Determined to be made well, the woman sneaks through the crushing crowd, reaches out, and brushes Jesus’ garment.

Jesus turns and sees her; the woman’s eyes are downcast and drowning in shame. In this one moment of connection, Jesus banishes shame, fear, social stigma, and physical pain from the woman. The crowd pushes and pulls the action in another direction, but the woman doesn’t notice. She is a new creation—she is daughter, not unclean. In the freedom of this new peace, I can imagine Hosea’s words arising in her mind: “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved’ ” (Romans 9:25b). “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they shall be called children of the living God” (Hosea 1:10).

MOVING FORWARD: Visit a friend or community member who may be recovering at home or in the hospital. Talk to your priest or clergy person about taking communion to them as well.