GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 9:18-2618 While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
Meditation: Do you take your troubles to the Lord with
expectant faith and confidence in his help? People in desperate or
helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought
Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a
word of comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman
who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for
her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do about his
lost beloved daughter?
Words of hope directed to God
Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it
because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to
the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of
faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And he also
gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child.
It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a
synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his
neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at him
in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus
took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of
death. In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the
needs of others and his readiness to heal and restore life.
The infinite love of God
In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each
and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to
each person he meets. Do you approach the Lord with
confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?
Lord Jesus, you love each of us individually with a unique and personal love. Touch my life with your saving power, heal and restore me to fullness of life. Help me to give wholly of myself in loving service to others.
Psalm 145:2-9
2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 Men shall proclaim the might of your awesome acts, and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Daughter, your faith has made you well, by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD)
"So what did Messiah do? He did not let her go unnoticed but led
her into the center of attention and made her visible. He had many
reasons for doing this. Some might imagine that 'he did this
merely for love of glory - otherwise why would he not allow her to
remain concealed?' But what are they proposing who might say this?
That he should keep her silent, that he should ignore her need,
and thereby pass up miracles too numerous to mention, all because
he is in love with glory? What an unholy thought, inspired by the
most unholy one of all."
"What then is his intention in bringing her forward? First, Jesus
puts an end to her fear. He does not want her to remain trapped in
dread. He gives no cause for her conscience to be harmed, as if
she had stolen the gift. Second, he corrects her assumption that
she has no right to be seen. Third, he makes her faith an exhibit
to all. He encourages the others to emulate her faith. Fourth, his
subduing the fountains of her hemorrhage was another sign of his
knowledge of all things. And finally, do you remember the ruler of
the synagogue? He was at the point of despair, of utter ruin.
Jesus is indirectly admonishing him by what he says to the woman."
(excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW,
HOMILY 31.2)
