THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday in the fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, 2021

Gen 28:10-22a

Ps 91

Matt 9:18-26

Your faith has made you well

Dear friends in Christ, God’s relationship with his people is such that nothing can break them apart. When God has promised, he goes all the way to fulfil it. A strong faith in God is needed for a good start. Faith is a supernatural gift of God. It is a seed that has been sown in us but which must be nurtured to grow. Where there is faith, nothing is impossible.

Our Gospel today (Matthew 9:18-26) records two of the miracles of Jesus. Jesus was on his way to raise the 12 year old daughter of a ruler who came to him for help because the girl had just died. It is incredible that the man exercised such a great faith, first, he knelt before Jesus, something that shows great humility on the side of this ruler and then said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Why was he still asking for help in such a hopeless situation? When Jesus got to his house, he declared, “Depart, for the girl is not dead but asleep.” As Christians, death is only used to describe the separation of breath from the body. Properly speaking we refer to our loved ones who have gone before us as ‘asleep.’ That is very clear in today’s gospel. Jesus went ahead took her by the hand and the girl arose. Even though we die by human reckoning, God will raise us back to life. We shall then answer for the things we have done in the flesh. 

On his way to the house of the ruler, a woman who had suffered haemorrhage for 12 years courageously thought, “If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.” She did, and when Jesus turned and saw her, he said, “Take heart daughter, your faith has made you well.” She was in a situation that is as hopeless as being dead. Her condition had rendered her almost perpetually unclean in that culture. Nothing would have mattered more than this miracle in her life. It is a resurrection. A miracle was her last option and she took the chance. It paid off. Your situation may be like that of this woman with some already thinking, there can be no solution. Do not allow what others think affect your faith. Remain firm in your beliefs and make that leap of faith. 

The faith shown by the ruler and the woman with haemorrhage, is lacking in most people of our time. Quite a lot want instantaneous answers, people want to go to bed and wake up like from a dream, with all problems over in their lives. For that reason, they are not patient with a God who is not giving them the answer they want, at the time they want it. Nothing is impossible for those who have faith. Ask the Lord to renew your faith,

Let us pray: Lord you have promised that even if faith is as small as a mustard seed it can work wonders. Give me the gift of faith, help my little faith and grant my prayers. Amen. 

+Remain blessed