"I'm not a virus": A Critical Reading of 'the Women with the Issue of Blood' through the Eyes of Asian Women in Australia beyond COVID 19 Pandemic.

The story of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) is often read with an emphasis on holistic healing, which includes a transformation of identity from a disease-carrying outcast. In light of the intensified COVID 19-related 'Asian-hate' and the micro and macro racial discriminations towards Asian diaspora in Western countries like Australia, while reading this story, Asian diaspora Christian women found themselves caught in the tension of yearning for transformation but empathise with the transgression of these women in the current reality of their lives. Knowing Jesus restored this woman enhanced faith but acknowledging the pain in the waiting is critical to the healing and transformation of the Asian diaspora women. To better understand how this experience interacts with one's reading of the story, this article asks, "what does the identity of the women with the issue of blood pre her healing mean for us as Asian diaspora women in Australia beyond COVID 19 pandemic." This article records the authors' personal reflection of being marginalised to empathise with the story of the women with the issue of blood using a narrative criticism method. By examining the intersectional factors which affect the formation of identity, the article discusses how the image of the woman with the issue of blood pre her healing exemplifies the experience of the Asian diaspora women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]