The Woman with an Issue of Blood

Another text that is very conducive to cementing the lectio divina practice in our spiritual life, one that is highly imagistic is the story of the woman with an issue of blood.  The story functions with the added layer of being healed by touching Jesus' garment.  Not only is it a great text to practice the holy listening of lectio, but returning to the text another day can allow you to visualize yourself as the one who pushes through the crowd and reaches out to the Savior.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,^[d] but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.  ⁴⁵"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
      When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
 ⁴⁶But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
 ⁴⁷Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."   -  Gospel of Saint Luke, viii, 42-48.

Slowly repeat the text over and over.  Then, listen to the words that have been carried into your center.  Holy listening produces ample fruit.

Tradition holds that this woman was actually Veronica.  Veronica later goes on to wipe Jesus' face as He walks to His death.  The cloth she used is said to have had an imprint of the LORD's face left on it.  It is known as the Icon Not Made with Human Hands.