Daily Reflection
July 10th, 2006
by

Howie Kalb, S.J.

Jesuit Community
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Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 9:18-26

No doubt you will recognize an old adage; “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” Today’s Gospel records three episodes in which Jesus proved that statement true. At least the Official certainly believed it. It must have been DIFFICULT for this man to interrupt Jesus’ teaching, drop to his knees before the Lord, begging Jesus to lay hands on his dead daughter bringing her back to life. Probably DIFFICULT for Jesus also, having to abruptly conclude his remarks and to leave the crowd he had been teaching.

As they head to the Official’s home a woman with a hemorrhage she suffered for twelve years stops him in the middle of his journey. This is the second interruption to Jesus’ day. The busy Lord graciously takes the time to answer and care for the woman’s problem. Her need was extreme.

Imagine how many times she planned in one way or another to solve her problem. Go to the physician. That took all her money. Pray to God. But that demands you do what you can. Touch Jesus’ garment. Will I ever get close enough to him? Over and over in her mind she kept telling herself what she must do. Until this day she actually had the opportunity and with courage took advantage of the situation and did it. “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Immediately she felt the effects. And Jesus turned around and said to he,“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” Christ might be busy but he took the time to reward the woman’s faith with the MIRACULOUS cure.

When Jesus and the official finally arrived at the latter’s house, the crowd was there to ridicule and mock him. Bring a dead girl back to life? IMPOSSIBLE! So Jesus sends them away. He goes into the house, takes the dead girl by the hand and raises her back to life. “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Jesus has now accomplished the DIFFICULT, the MIRACULOUS and the IMPOSSIBLE. He did all this because people had faith that he could. Today our Lord may be busier than ever. Still when our well-being is in question, if we have the faith, he has both the power and the time to answer our prayers, no matter how DIFFICULT, MIRACULOUS or IMPOSSIBLE the request might be.

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