Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)—Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

 

Wesley, Frank, 1923-2002. Woman with the Flow of Blood  

Art in the Christian Tradition, the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN

 

Pharisee and Bleeding Woman

These days, if a wonder worker 

Showed the love of God to both sides 

Of our clear political aisle,

Healing someone I disparaged,

Plus, in my book, someone worthwhile,

I might be tempted to get up

And follow just like Matthew did,

Wondering just how it was done,

Wondering what was behind it,

Wondering if it was a fluke,

Or whether a small band of us

Could try to go and do likewise.

Scott L. Barton

 

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.