14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

When the crowd was put out . . .

No one would say that God needs our faith in order to work his will. He can perform a miracle whenever and wherever he chooses. Yet it is also true that our faith opens us up to receive Jesus’ power more fully—something that today’s Gospel demonstrates in a dramatic way.

It wasn’t enough for this hemorrhaging woman just to be near Jesus; she wanted to touch him. Even though she was considered ritually unclean, she overcame her shame and fear of censure to reach out for the Lord. And as she did, Jesus felt power go forth from him. Startled, Jesus stopped and sought her out from among the crowd that had been pressing in on him.

When he found her, Jesus said to her, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you” (Matthew 9:22). By calling her “daughter,” Jesus confirmed not only her physical healing but her spiritual healing as well. He seemed pleased to no end to have found someone with such firm faith!

This connection between faith and healing is also evident in the story of Jesus raising an official’s daughter from the dead. When the official made his request of Jesus, he did so with sincere and humble faith, sufficient to convince Jesus to change his plans and visit the man’s home.

Once Jesus entered the house, however, he saw that the environment was one of disbelief and resignation. The mourners’ lack of trust in God was so deep that they ridiculed Jesus and his own faith in his Father. So the first thing he did was to drive them out of the room. Then, having changed the atmosphere, he was more free to work his wonders. He took the girl by the hand, and she came back to life.

We have an omnipotent God who invites us to participate in his works of healing and reconciliation through our faith. If we imitate Jesus by driving unbelief from our hearts, we will be more open to his power. It’s not that he will reward our faith. It’s that we will have removed the obstacles that keep us from experiencing his work in us.

“Jesus, help my unbelief! I want to know your presence and your power in my life.”

Genesis 28:10-22
Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15
Matthew 9:18-26