Gospel (Mt 9:18-26)

While Jesus was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, “Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

And the report of this went through all that district.

Commentary

Jesus is joyful to see those who come to Him with faith, with the inner certainty that when they address the Teacher from Galilee they are addressing God, even though He shows himself to be so accessible and close.

Today’s Gospel presents us with two of these persons, a man and a woman, who are a model for us of faith and trust in Jesus. The man’s faith is so great that he trusts that simply Jesus’ presence and the touch of his hand will resurrect the daughter he dearly loves; while the women firmly believes that simply touching the hem of his cloak will cure her of a long and lingering illness.

These two persons don’t worry what those around them might think when they express their humble petition. Not even when the crowd is so large that the sick woman has to force her way through to reach our Lord; or when the mourners weeping for the death of the young girl mock the deluded desire of her father and the words of Jesus.

Today we can renew our faith in the action of Jesus that is carried out above all through the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. If simply touching his cloak can cure terrible diseases, or the touch of his hand can raise the dead, what marvels will He be able to work when He forgives us in confession through the words of the priest, or when we receive Him in Communion! Jesus will tell us too: “Your faith has made you well.”