FIRST READING
Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Thus says the LORD:
I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart. She shall respond there as in the days of her youth, when she came up from the land of Egypt.
On that day, says the LORD, She shall call me “My husband,” and never again “My baal.”
I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8a) The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds and declare your greatness. They publish the fame of your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
ALLELUIA
See 2 Timothy 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
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.
REFLECTIONS:
Do you take your troubles to the Lord with expectant
faith and confidence in his help? People in desperate or helpless circumstances
were not disappointed when they sought Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus?
Was it hope for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What
did the elderly woman who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect
Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do
about his lost beloved daughter? Jesus gave hope where there seemed to
be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke
words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the
spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And he also
gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took
considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go
to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired
mourners laughed at him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any
hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from
the grasp of death. In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for
the needs of others and his readiness to heal and restore life.
In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and
every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to each
person he meets. Do you approach the Lord with confident expectation that
he will hear your request and act?
"Lord Jesus, you love each of us individually with a unique and personal
love. Touch my life with your saving power, heal and restore me to fullness
of life. Help me to give wholly of myself in loving service to others."
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