Unshakable Faith

Readings for Monday July 5, 2010

First Reading: Hosea 2:16, 17-18, 21-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145
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. (Mt 9:18-26)

In today's gospel reading, we read of two different miracles performed by Jesus. We read of the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage and we read of the healing of the official's daughter. While both of these acts of healing leave us in awe and amazement of God's power, what is also amazing is the faith of the official and the woman. Both of them demonstrated an unshakable faith.

Think about the official for a moment, there was no way that anybody was going to change his mind. You couldn't convince him that all hope was lost, even when things looked the absolute worst. I mean, his daughter was dead, but even then you couldn't convince him that there was no hope. This man knew where to turn to, he knew deep down in his heart that if his daughter were going to live again, then there was only one place he could turn to ... Christ. This official knew who Christ was, this is why he humbled himself before him and knelt down before his Lord. His faith in Christ was absolutely unshakable, we too should take his example of when things look their worst, that we too should always turn to Christ.

The woman with the hemorrhage also displayed an unshakable faith before her miracle as well. She had such faith in Christ that she knew if only she could touch His cloak, that she would be healed. Even though this woman had lived in pain and suffering for many years, she found hope in Christ, and did not let anything stop her from reaching Him. After touching Him, Jesus knew what had happened, He addressed her and said, "Courage daughter! Your faith has saved you." Because of her unshakable faith, not only was she healed physically, but we can bet that that moment impacted her spiritually as well.

Unshakable faith, both the official and the woman had it, and because of it they found healing in their lives. May we always remember to look to God for comfort, answers, and healing; not only when things are good, but even when they seem their worst. As Christians we are called to have a faith that is unshakable, one that is built upon solid rock, not shifting sand.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for all that you have blessed us with and thank you for the gift of our lives. Help us to see every life as a great gift, no matter how young or old. Lord, increase our faith and hope in you, so that we too may have an unshakable faith, one in which no one could bring us down. Lord, you are our God and we are your people; help us to serve and honor you all of our days. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.