Daily Reflections- July 9, 2012

THE POWER OF FAITH

 

The people we meet in the Gospel today give us examples of remarkable faith: the official seeking healing for his daughter and the haemorrhaging woman. They seem content just to have Jesus touch them. The official says, “Lay your hand on her and she will be saved.” The woman thinks to herself, “If I can only touch His cloak, I shall be well again.” They believe that Jesus can bring healing just by touching them.

Matthew cleverly explains two events happening at the same time. While Jesus is on His way to visit the daughter of the official who has just died, He is interrupted by a woman in the crowd seeking to touch the edge of His cloak.

The official’s daughter has just died but it hasn’t stopped the father from approaching Jesus. Even in the face of death, Jesus brings life. The woman, who had suffered for many years at the expense of doctors, hasn’t stopped from approaching Jesus. Even in the midst of darkness and suffering, she believes Jesus is the One who brings life.

Both events see a great miracle — the woman is cured and the girl is brought back to life. These people could have easily given up all hope, yet here we see the extent of their faith in the power of Jesus.

The angel proclaimed to Mary that nothing is impossible to God. What is impossible to man is possible to God. Only God can cause a virgin to conceive a child. Only God can multiply loaves and fish to feed the multitude. Only God can raise a man from the dead. Only God can change bread and wine into the precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The people in the Gospel remind us that God is the God of the impossible.

Does the Gospel challenge your faith? Jesus says even if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. God is asking us to stand firm in faith, the gift He Himself has given you. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you like the official interceding for someone? Or are you like the woman in search of healing, desperate for the touch of Jesus in your life?

 

God of my faith, You raise the dead and heal the sick. Help my unbelief. I want to trust in You more. Every step I make is a step of faith.