Turning to God in Faith!

Monday, July 8, 2024

Hos 2:16,17-18,21-22; Mt 9:18-26

Today’s Gospel is an affirmation that death or disease cannot afflict us when we turn to God in faith.  

Jesus’ sensitivity toward the woman with a blood issue is particularly striking because she was considered physically and ceremonially unclean. We find Jesus’ compassion at work in healing the afflicted woman. 

Secondly, Biblical scholars believe that the way Jesus addresses her as ‘daughter’ contains the same thought as ‘son.’ Jesus did not consider the woman any less than a male who was privileged in that society. 

Thirdly, ‘Go in peace’ points to more than mere physical restoration. In the case of a woman who was considered physically and ceremonially unclean, the healing of her person is rather significant. 

If Jesus made the woman with a blood issue well again, the raising of the ruler’s daughter shows that death and decay are not the final words of God. 

One biblical scholar notes, ‘Human extremity is ever Christ’s opportunity.’ Accordingly, the crowd’s behaviour (as if the girl were dead) is contradicted by the words of Jesus that the ‘girl is sleeping.’

Studying both miracles, we understand that life and health are God’s blessings. 

What is death to human eyes is only sleep or trance in the eyes of God.

Only a compassionate thought of Jesus is enough to heal the sickness of twelve long years. 

The God, who came to give us life in abundance, is actively involved in our lives. 

The cruelty of death and the misery of illness are taken away when we turn to God in faith. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar