A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:18-26)
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
In the Gospel for today, Jesus is on his way with the disciples to the house of an official, whose daughter has just died. The official tells this to Jesus, saying, “But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Immediately, Jesus and the disciples rise to follow him to his house. As Jesus makes his way, the woman suffering hemorrhages finds him and in touching the tassel of his cloak is immediately healed. Both the official and the woman place their complete trust in Jesus’ ability to heal. Just as the woman’s faith leads to healing, the official’s faith is tested and is also rewarded. Jesus puts out the ridiculers, and those who remain are witnesses to the miracle of the daughter’s resurrection.
God, help me understand that your Son demonstrated power over sickness and death. In recognizing that astounding authority, the official is an example of great faith in the face death, which Jesus conquers. The woman in the Gospel teaches me that with great faith only a little effort opens up the vast reach of your love and mercy. Give me the grace to approach you with faith and complete trust for whatever I need.
Thank you, God, for your word and for the death and resurrection of your Son. Thank you for the gift of faith, which I ask you to strengthen. From the responsorial psalm: “Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress. In you, my God, I place my trust.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.