Matthew 9: 18-26
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region
We recently heard these two stories of faith and healing, but we can always profit from further reflection. We know from Mark's Gospel (see entry for June 27) that the father of the dead girl is Jairus. The woman who is healed of bleeding remains anonymous, but the essentials are still there: Faith first, then healing. When we, as so often we do, ask for favors,be they healing or relief from distress, do we pray with the deep faith and conviction displayed by these two petitioners? If we did, our prayers would be answered in a flash.. Why do we have so little faith? Is God trying to show us that it's our lack of faith he wishes to heal, and not the person for whom we are praying? Lord, purify me, cleanse me and increase my faith!
Bro. Rene
No comments:
Post a Comment