Jesus’ Healing Touch
- davidwperk
- May 23
- 7 min read
Reflection Devotional, May 23. 2025
Friday of the fifth week of Easter
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
43Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. 44She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ 46But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ 47When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’
(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 962)
AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48
Wisdom 16:15-17:1; Rom. 14:13-23; Luke 8:40-56
Today we celebrate the Feast of Nicholas Copernicus and Johannes Kepler. (See below.)
David's Reflections
In this passage Luke narrates Jesus' healing of a woman who had suffered a hemorrhage for 12 years and his raising to life an adolescent girl. Even though a crowd was pressing in upon them, Jesus could distinguish the touch of the woman, because he experienced the physical sensation of healing power flowing from him. People who experience healing from others through the laying on of hands often speak of feeling warmth and/or energy in the touch. At times, the person praying and laying on hands experiences a feeling of warmth or energy as well.
When Bishop Robert J. Hargrove laid hands on me during ordination to priesthood, I jerked involuntarily from an electric shock. He leaned over and whispered, “Did you feel that?” Later he shared how he discovered he had a gift for praying for healing. During a prayer service at the end of a folk mass, layperson and friend Ed R. laid hands on the back of my head and I felt warm physical energy flowing down to my belt. Ed had discovered prior to that night that he had a gift of praying for healing.
The disciples expressed amazement when Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" They were caught in the press of the crowd, which meant that unintentional touching was taking place. Yet, this woman's touching of the fringe of Jesus' outer garment had been intentional, done with faith, a faith driven by need for healing. She felt healed immediately.
Jesus waited while she wrestled with her timidity. The moments of silence must have been anguishing to her. There was Jesus, standing and waiting for someone to say, "I touched you." She came forward hesitantly and confessed her touching of his garment and her healing. Those words of Jesus, "Daughter, your faith has made you well (literally, "saved you"). Go in peace," must have calmed her fears and stilled her heart like a tree no longer tossed in the wind.
Was her faith mature and well-thought? Hardly! She labored under the superstition that a holy person's virtue and power saturated even their garments, and that to touch them would release that power for her healing. Yet, her faith was exercised in the right person, and it was daring. And, the person she touched brimmed with healing energy. Can we hear a cautionary note here about judging the sincerity or maturity of another's faith?
We are surrounded with people whose life energy is seeping out of them; they literally are "bleeding," often from self-inflicted wounds. They relate to those they know as Christian and come to worship services in quiet desperation. Would that they could "touch" Jesus through our hospitality. Perhaps a person would come forward during communion and receive prayers. Perhaps they might dare to receive Holy Communion, even in that state, and in that way touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Would that their faith would bring them the wholeness of Jesus' forgiveness and embracing love. Would that they could dare to make that known so that they could be received into community.
We are called to be so sensitive to those desperate ones around us that their secret identity does not remain secret, yet they do not feel put on the spot or intimidated. Those are the people we do seek, those whose desperation has heard God's quiet call for wholeness.
So often a person of faith experiences life in ways similar to this woman. Faith has become inert, lacking in energy. Sacraments have become rote. Wounds fester at the center of life. Would you or I, in such a moment, dare to reach out, however hesitantly, for a fresh touching of Jesus? We will find Jesus willing to stand still and focus that healing love on us.
Collect of the Day, Fifth Sunday of Easter
Almighty god, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 225)
Collect of the Weekdays of Easter
Almighty God, you show the light of your truth to those who are in error, to the intent that they may return to the way of righteousness: Grant to those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Weekday Eucharistic Propers, p. 64)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Nicholas Copernicus (died 24 May 1543 CE) and Johannes Kepler (died 15 Nov 1630 CE), astronomers.
Collect of the Feast of Nicholas Copernicus and Johannes Kepler
As the heavens declare your glory, O God, and the firmament shows your handiwork, we bless your Name for the gifts of knowledge and insight you bestowed upon Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler; and we pray that you would continue to advance our understanding of your cosmos, for our good and for your glory; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all creation, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Cross
Especially suitable for Fridays
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 253)
In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)
A Collect for Mission
Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 280)
Daily Office Gospel, Luke 8:40-56
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, 42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. 43Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. 44She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ 46But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ 47When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’ 49While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ 50When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ 51When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ 53And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ 55Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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