Thursday, 23 July 2026
In the presence of all the people – She told her story
Luke 8:40-48
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just 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, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her haemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When 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. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’
Reflection
Working as a Healthcare Chaplain for 20 years meant having the privilege of hearing the stories of countless people of all ages and backgrounds. These were funny, moving, painful, and inspiring. They told of love and loss, celebration and regret. We’re not often given the opportunity to tell our story, uninterrupted and valued by others. But when we do it can be transformational. When the woman touched Jesus’ cloak we’re told she was instantly healed so why did he stop to talk to her? Jesus enables her to tell her story publicly and recognises her as a valuable human being. This, as much as the physical healing, is what restores her value; she is healed as a whole person.
In our Compassionate Communities work we use story circles as a way of enabling people to tell their story, interact with the stories of others, and experience meaning through this. I remember a women coming to a story session in Falmouth, she said she had nothing to share and couldn’t imagine ever having anything of value to contribute in her community. Later that evening she had told how she originally moved to Cornwall to escape domestic violence and how she had been cared for in that community. She left transformed having given voice to something buried deep within her, recognising what she was able to contribute to others.
Each of our stories is unique and valuable, and each of our stories is intertwined with God’s relationship with us personally and with humanity. When space is given, and we give others a meaningful voice only then do we fully enter into the experience of another with compassion.
Prayer
May each one of us have a meaningful voice,
knowing what it means to be valued and accepted
and for our lives to have meaning.
We pray that each of us
would find a place of reconciliation and restoration
in our families and wider communities.
We pray that each of us would know
the infinite love of Christ
that breaks through all prejudice and stigma,
and that we would in turn show that love to others.
Amen.
