Gospel in Art: The woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years

Touch of Faith, by Yongsung Kim, 2010 © Courtesy Havenlight and Yongsung Kim

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 February 2025
Mark 5:21-43

At that time: When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.' And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, 'If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.' And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my garments?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, "Who touched me?" ' And he looked round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.' And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, 'Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha cumi', which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.' And immediately the girl got up and began walking, for she was twelve years of age, and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Reflection on the painting

Today's Gospel reading contains two intertwined stories: the healing of Jairus' daughter and the healing of a woman suffering from a long-term condition. The woman, afflicted with a flow of blood, had spent all she had on physicians but found no cure. Her condition would have left her not only physically weakened but also socially and religiously marginalised, as she would have been deemed ritually unclean and barred from attending the synagogue. On his way to Jairus' house, Jesus is unexpectedly approached by this woman. In a discreet act of desperation, she touches the hem of his cloak and is immediately healed. Although Jesus is on an urgent mission, he pauses, sensing the touch of faith amidst the crowd.

Rather than allowing the encounter to remain impersonal, Jesus actively seeks out the woman, inviting her into a more profound exchange. She had sought healing in secret, but Jesus wanted her faith to be acknowledged openly. When she steps forward, he addresses her tenderly as "daughter," thus restoring her place within the community. While many in the crowd had touched Jesus, her touch was uniquely marked by faith, which allowed God's life-giving power to flow into her. This story reminds us that interruptions on our journey can hold deep significance, offering unexpected opportunities for grace and transformation. Sometimes, what seems like a delay is as meaningful as the destination itself.

Our painting is by contemporary Korean artist Yongsung Kim, one of the current leading contemporary Christian artists. In a world often overshadowed by violence and darkness, Yongsung Kim seeks to bring the light of Jesus Christ to a new generation through his art, characterised by its focus on burst of colourful paints. In this particular work, we see the outstretched hand of the hemorrhaging woman, yearning simply to touch Jesus. We don't see their faces; we just see the hem and the woman's hand. The painting captures a remarkable sense of fluidity and movement, drawing us into the profound connection between the seeker and Jesus.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-5-21-43-2025/