“My daughter has just died.
matthew 9:18
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Reflection
An official comes to Jesus asking him to lay hands on his daughter who has just had died. As Jesus makes his way to the man’s house, a woman with hemorrhages approaches Jesus and touches the tassel on his cloak and is cured. When Jesus arrives at the official’s house, he tells everyone to go away, for the girl is only sleeping, not dead. He then takes the girl’s hand and she arises.
The faith of the official and the hemorrhaging woman are great to behold. In one of the lowest and darkest moments of the official’s life – the death of his child – he goes to find Jesus and begs him to restore her life. Notice how the text indicates he most likely went immediately to find Jesus, not one day or one week later. His daughter has just died, and so he turns to the comfort and love of Jesus. We should strive to follow his example.
In times of distress and despair, we should immediately turn to Christ. When we first turn towards destructive behavior or things that bring us more deeply into grief, we display our lack of trust in the Lord. He infinitely loves us and wants to comfort us during our difficult moments. This is not to say we cannot grieve, but when we grieve with Jesus and place all our suffering at his feet, he transforms it and strengthens us.
In what ways can you turn to Christ in your suffering? Do you let him in or turn him away? Jesus wants to hold you, love you, and heal you – let him.
Saint of the Day
St. Palladius: ca. 5th century
St. Palladius was the first bishop in Ireland after St. Patrick. Not much is known about him, but he was most likely sent to Ireland to keep the people Catholic and to convert others to the Christian faith. Stories vary as to whether he was martyred or not.
St. Palladius, pray for us!
The Healing Word 