Gospel MT 9:18-26
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
Reflection:
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
In the gospels of Mark and Luke, we learn more about this official who knelt and began to plead with Jesus. His name was Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue. Jesus’ message had been rejected at the synagogue; Jairus must have been truly desperate to have turned to Jesus to save his daughter.
I can relate to Jairus. In those times when I have been desperate, I too have swallowed my pride, knelt down and pled with Jesus to save me.
Just as Jesus “rose and followed” Jairus, He has also come to me in my hour of desperation.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
Masses of people followed Jesus wherever He went. The hemorrhaging woman could easily have been lost in the press of the crowd. But, in her desperation to be healed, she found the strength to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
Jesus came to bring the love of our Father to life on earth.
Just as a mother with a house full of noisy children responds to the cry of her infant, God too responds first to His child in need.
To our Father no one is ever “lost in the crowd.”
“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:15