on her breast, to show that her heart beats but for Thee, in the weaknesses of human frailty and the persecutions of the world. What sacrifices she makes, what exquisite and celestial joys she finds in following Thee and pleasing Thee, will never be told.

And although the great multitude of Christian women cannot follow the three evangelical councils, their hearts beat no less for Thee and, likewise, live of Thy divine life. For neither place nor exployment constitute membership with Christ, but union with Him.

And to suffer, work, and pray in union with the Heart of Jesus, every day, is the Christian's sole and whole perfection.

The Woman under an Issue of Blood.

The Daughter of Jairus.

NE morning, in the second year of His public life, Jesus approached the shores of Lake Genesareth. The crowd from which He had fled the evening before, recognized His barge and eagerly awaited His landing. One among them, in particular, the publican (revenuecollector) Levi, later an apostle, showed his joy over the return of the Master by inviting Him to a. festival. Jesus with His disciples accepted the invitation and joined the guests at Levi's house. Meanwhile, the Pharisees and Scribes, who constantly kept themselves informed of the doings and whereabouts of

the Saviour, had entered the open banquet hall, and, not daring to blame Jesus personally, addressed the Apostles, saying: "Why is it that your Master and you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?" *) The Apostles echoed their astonishment. Then Jesus answered in these admirable words: "They that are in health need not the physician, but they that are ill. Go then and learn what this meaneth: I will mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners." Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples do not fast?" And Jesus says to them: "Can the children of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast." While He was speaking to them, a certain ruler from Capharnaum came up and addressed Him, saying: "Lord, my daughter is about dying, but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." And Jesus, rising up, followed him with His disciples.

During this, no doubt hasty, walk-for the

*) Matt. IX. 11-15.

father was in a hurry to get back to his dying child-Jesus, turning suddenly to the crowd, said:

"Who hath touched my garments?" *) As all protested their innocence: "Master," said Peter, "thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou who hath touched me?"

"And Jesus said: Somebody hath touched me; for I know that virtue is gone out of from me."

Now a woman, who had suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years and spent her substance on all kinds of physicians, without receiving any help from them, had said within herself: "If I but touch the hem of His garment, I shall be healed." She had done so and had felt the virtue of the Saviour. Ashamed and trembling she approaches and, falling down at His feet, confesses her suffering and what she had done for relief. Jesus demanded this humble confession of her sickness, that constituted a legal impurity. He desired it rather as an act of humility than as a confession of His omnipotence. This woman had suffered much, and worldly science had pronounced her incurable. With what con

*) Mark, V. 25–43.

fidence and hope do not we, too, approach the physician who can cure soul and body, when, under similar circumstances, we are persuaded that human help is of no avail.

Woman, thou hast done well by coming to Jesus to touch respectfully His garment, believing that at that very moment He will relieve thee. Yes, instantly His virtue is felt by thee, thou art healed. Yet thou alone didst feel that virtue, not the multitude thronging and pushing from all sides, as Peter observed, but who had come without any heartfelt wants, without any ardent prayers, simply from curiosity or, perhaps, with evil design. Only dispositions of the soul, a living faith and deep humility, render our connection with God fruitful; without them the most favorable circumstances remain fruitless.

When Jesus saw the poor woman humbling herself still more at His feet and thanking Him for His goodness, He addressed these life-giving words to her:

go

"Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole, in peace."

"Daughter"! Such is the new title that Jesus gives to fallen and suffering womankind.