July 5th, 2021

The Gospel according to Matthew (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.

Opening Prayer: Lord, help me to see You in the Lives of others. Allow me to open my eyes and see the Blessings you have given me. Allow me to reach out to others so I may touch your cloak.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Encountering Christ: Here is an example of one who comes to Jesus with great faith. This woman had suffered greatly for many years and this father who was desperate for his daughter’s life. And then, they turned to their faith to Jesus.

What we do know is that in their suffering, they were greatly humbled and were out of options. Perhaps they didn’t know if they would be physically healed, but they did know they had to turn to Jesus. I am sure in this story that were 1000’s asking for healing as well. 

There is something else that this story is telling us. The ability to TOUCH. We all have this ability when we shake hands, to hug or embrace, or a simple peck on the cheek. It’s a symbol of acknowledgement, peace, and love to each other. It’s a form of caring, compassion and concern. 

Let’s examine some examples of Touch:

• Corona Virus: we couldn’t touch each other or even breath on each other. 
• Corona Virus: We couldn’t attend mass and we couldn’t touch the Holy Eucharist or the Precious Blood.
• Corona Virus: People died alone in the hospitals with no one to hold their hand (touch).
• The tragedy in Florida: Those poor families want to touch their loved one.
• Cancer or other sickness: They need to fill their tanks with touch
• The Hate and Judgement: They need a lot of touch
• How about a simple text? One of the men at Mary’s Village sent me a text for Fathers Day and said that he Loved me.
• Or just a simple phone call, Hallmark card, or even a text telling them hello.

There is a great lesson in this story, in that we must have the same depth of trust and the same commitment to turn to Jesus throughout our life. Everything we do must come from a deep interior conviction that Jesus is the answer to everything.

We all have hurts of different kind and different levels. We know people that are sick and suffering in our lives. We seek out that touch through the Power of Prayer …. The “Prayer Warriors”!

Here is part of a letter written by a husband while sitting in a large room and his wife is getting her chemo treatment.

I sit here and see all the beautiful people who have been stricken with this demon. This disease isn’t prejudice, it strikes everyone of all color, all ages, and all faiths. They are accompanied by their loved one be it family or a friend. Analyzing the faces of everyone and some are happy, some are scared, some are struggling, and some are not sure. As we all sit in this large room together, there is faith and trust amongst the fear, but I assure you that God is present. He is here … RIGHT NOW. Any act of Love strengthens our disposition to Live more. We possess Gods Sanctifying Grace in our souls, all we must do is look for it. As we go through this challenge and this new journey, you learn how to face this demon. You learn how to look at the demon and say that you’re ready to take it on. You accept this challenge as yours accompanied with the Graces of Our Lord. 

I wonder if these people are capable to open their hearts and eyes to see the glory that surrounds them? Do they feel the lesson of faith? Do they truly know that God Loves them with his Agape love? There are many people in my wife’s life that has emerged with this Sanctifying Grace. They are representatives of Christ sending their prayers, their Joy, their words of inspiration, their touch and their Love. This is what keeps my wife going! This is what fills her tank of love. With all the things she is going through, that tank gets empty too quickly. So she needs that support, that love, and that Grace. You can’t tell me that God isn’t present in our life because here is proof, through the Faith and Touch of his people. 

Turning to Jesus with deep certainty and faith means we know that His will is all that matters.  It means that we choose Him above all else and in every circumstance of life.  It means we do not only turn to Him with our problems, but we also turn to Him with our joys and in our blessings. 

Closing Prayer: Lord, help me to see You in the lives of those closest to me.  Help me to rejoice in Your presence and to grow in love of others and in love of You as I see You at work in their lives.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Action for the Day: Simple request: Take a few moments of your day and Thank Our Lord for all the beautiful things that you are Thankful / Blessed with.