The Hem Of His Garment

image taken from: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/gospel-in-art

By: Angela A.

Date: June 24, 2025 - Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

Immediately aware of the power that had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You can see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me’?”

He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:25-34)     

It was Lent of 2018, while my husband and I were in the trenches of our infertility journey, when the account of the hemorrhaging woman first struck a chord with me. For years, I had been praying for Jesus to heal me; I had endured much under many physicians and spent all I had physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially; and I was no better. My husband and I grew frustrated with the little progress that was being made, and we were left with more questions than answers. We felt shunned by others, and I truly believed that I was broken as a woman because of my inability to bear children. When I came across the above passage in my Lenten devotional, I began to question what life would be like if I lived during Jesus’ time. Would I too be an outcast? Would I have the courage to approach Jesus to touch his clothes? Would I have enough faith to heal me of my disease? 

Over the years, the story of the hemorrhaging woman continued to make an appearance in my life and began to resonate with me more and more. Fast forward to last year’s Beloved Daughters Conference - during a session, one of the speakers asked the attendees to think about what was blocking us from healing and keeping us from becoming the woman God has called us to be. Before entering a time of Adoration, a reflection on the hemorrhaging woman was shared, and we were encouraged to give God permission to heal us. I knew that my infertility journey was the one thing that I had not been able to unreservedly surrender to God, so as the priest processed through the aisles with The Blessed Sacrament, I prayed, “Jesus, I surrender my infertility to you.” As The Blessed Sacrament passed by my side, I immediately felt something in my body. I cannot fully articulate what exactly I felt, but I can best describe as a power that rushed over me. The following day, we entered into another time of Adoration, and I had the opportunity to go to confession. I surrendered my infertility to God once again, and the one piece of guidance from the priest that stuck with me was to focus on the words “Thy will be done” while praying the Our Father. Upon returning to the sanctuary, Father was processing with The Blessed Sacrament as was done the previous day; this time, we were allowed to touch the humeral veil. When I realized that The Blessed Sacrament had already passed the section, I resigned from being able to have my turn. The hemorrhaging woman then came to mind, and I remembered how she sought out Jesus in the crowd. I felt a strong nudge from the Holy Spirit to go after Jesus and knew I would regret not doing so. As anxious as I felt, I mustered the courage to make my way across the sanctuary. When I kissed the humeral veil, I prayed “Thy will be done”. I was so overcome by emotion and wondered what the hemorrhaging woman felt when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. During communion the next day, I heard Jesus speak to me and ask, “Do you trust Me?” I replied, “Okay. Jesus, I trust in You” and knew that I had to continue to place everything into His hands and trust whatever He had planned for me. 

As I write this reflection, my husband and I are celebrating our twelfth wedding anniversary. I cannot help but think of the parallels between our twelve year infertility journey and the woman who hemorrhaged for twelve years. While I may not have been physically cured from infertility, Jesus has healed and continues to heal me in so many other aspects: through family and friends who have consistently prayed for and supported my husband and I; through a compassionate counsellor who has helped me sort through my messy emotions; and through every encounter I have had with with Him in the Eucharist, confession, and Adoration.

More recently, a priest shared a point in his homily that moved me: “The Lord wants to heal us, but most of us cannot see beyond our pain and despair. We are not alone in our journey; God is with us…Let God be God” 

Looking back on my journey, I can acknowledge that there are many times I have refused God’s healing, because I have chosen to remain blinded by my pain and despair. I was desperately trying to take control which belonged to God alone. I can also recognize the moments in which God has walked with me in my hardships and has allowed healing to take place. 

Sisters, whatever it is that you may be going through, I pray that the hemorrhaging woman may encourage you to persist in prayer, reach out to the Lord, and have faith that He can heal you. To end, I would like to leave you with a quote I came across: “When you’re hanging on by a thread, make sure it’s the hem of His garment.”