Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet…he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (Luke 8: 47,48).

Jesus is on his way to perform a very important action.  Jairus’s daughter is sick and dying.  Jairus pleads with Jesus to help him, and Jesus agrees.  But on the way he encounters another woman who needs healing.

The woman makes her way to Jesus through the crowd, touches his robe and is healed. 

We know Jesus is in a hurry, rushing along with a large crowd to save the life of the daughter of a very important person.  There are many ways Jesus could address what just happened.

Jesus can ignore her.  She got healed. The problem is solved. He can move on.

Jesus can chastise her.  She didn’t ask for help or wait until she had his attention.  

But Jesus engaged with her.  He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Jesus recognized her suffering, and by naming her as “daughter”, he recognized her as an individual deserving of love.  He validated her faith and sent her away with love.  

He performed a great miracle for her. The woman physically received healing.  But Jesus also healed her emotionally by naming her, and spiritually by acknowledging the power of her faith.  

I’m called to remember that Jesus is human, just like me.  And while I’m not also divine like Jesus, that shouldn’t stop me from doing what I can to help other people.  I don’t have the divine power of miracles, but I can recognize people as a brother or sister in Christ.  I can acknowledge needs and validate a person’s humanity.  

I don’t need to fix everything to start helping.  I might not be able to spend an entire day helping a friend, but I can give some time.  I might not be able to cook an awesome meal for someone in need, but I can order them a pizza.  I might not be able to solve someone’s financial problems, but those few dollars I pull out of my pocket will do some good.  

I’m not a miracle worker like Jesus, but Jesus isn’t calling me to be him. He’s calling me to be like him by loving, recognizing, and doing what I can, big or small, to help my neighbors.

Is there a place in your life where you can be more like Jesus by taking the time to help?  Are you paralyzed to inaction with thoughts that your time, effort, money, or other aid isn’t enough? Jesus teaches us that any good we can do is worth doing, even if all we have to offer is love.