Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Hosea 2:16.17c-18.21-22;
Matthew 9:18-26)
Jesus successfully begins his ministry in Galilee. After the Sermon on the Mount, the people
believe in him. Their faith facilitates
a host of miracles, two of which are recorded in today’s gospel. But Jesus’ success will not last very
long. The Pharisees will sow doubt among
the people, and his cures will be limited.
The Jewish official’s faith is so great that he asks
Jesus’ help even after his daughter has died.
Jesus does not dawdle in response to the request. But on the way a severely sick woman causes
him to tarry. She too believes in him,
but her faith is somewhat magical. She thinks
that by touching Jesus’ cloak, she will be healed. In truth, she must encounter the Lord before
she is relieved of her illness. Touching
Jesus does not bring about a cure, but his touching another will. When Jesus arrives at the official’s house,
he takes the dead girl’s hand. His touch,
like a spark setting fire to dry grass, puts new life in the girl.
These healing stories should impress on us the need of
faith in Jesus. He will help us if we
believe in him. This means that we have
to ask his assistance and faithfully follow his teaching. His love for us will not fail.
