Monday 6 July

Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22; Psalm 145; Matthew 9:18-26 (27-31)

I will ask him

Hosea’s image of God building a love relationship with Israel is a vivid one – in the person of a young man (or woman!) ‘luring’ the eventual spouse. The power and care Jesus has shown for the sick and ailing draws the woman with the twelve- year haemorrhage – “If only I can touch his cloak”… I imagine her pushing through the throng, perhaps even a devout disciple getting in her way. But Jesus sensed her there. “Courage”, he says, “your faith has healed you”. What’s my ‘illness,’ and dare I ask for healing?