The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to meditate on our experiences of seeking Divine Help in times of fear, separation, and serious illness.
Hope of healing
The reading from the Book of Genesis describes Jacob’s Dream at Bethel as he was fleeing the wrath of Esau.
* [28:20] This vow: knowing well that Esau’s murderous wrath stands between him and the possession of the land promised him, Jacob makes his vow very precise. He vows to make the God who appeared to him his own if the God guides him safely to Paddan-aram and back to this land.1
Psalm 91 seeks the assurance of God’s Protection.
* [Psalm 91] A prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord, possibly within the Temple (Ps 91:1–2). The psalmist is confident that God’s presence will protect the people in every dangerous situation (Ps 91:3–13). The final verses are an oracle of salvation promising salvation to those who trust in God (Ps 91:14–16).2
In the Gospel of Matthew, a girl is restored to life and a woman is healed.
* [9:18–34] In this third group of miracles, the first (Mt 9:18–26) is clearly dependent on Mark (Mk 5:21–43). Though it tells of two miracles, the cure of the woman had already been included within the story of the raising of the official’s daughter, so that the two were probably regarded as a single unit. The other miracles seem to have been derived from Mark and Q, respectively, though there Matthew’s own editing is much more evident.3
David Crawford comments that in each of these stories, we find God present – in Jacob’s dream or incarnate in the Gospel.
There is more to this, though, than just me receiving God’s blessing. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, reminds us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV) Hear our prayer, O Lord. Incline your ear to us and grant us your peace.4
Don Schwager quotes “Daughter, your faith has made you well,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"So what did Messiah do? He did not let her go unnoticed but led her into the center of attention and made her visible. He had many reasons for doing this. Some might imagine that 'he did this merely for love of glory - otherwise why would he not allow her to remain concealed?' But what are they proposing who might say this? That he should keep her silent, that he should ignore her need, and thereby pass up miracles too numerous to mention, all because he is in love with glory? What an unholy thought, inspired by the most unholy one of all." "What then is his intention in bringing her forward? First, Jesus puts an end to her fear. He does not want her to remain trapped in dread. He gives no cause for her conscience to be harmed, as if she had stolen the gift. Second, he corrects her assumption that she has no right to be seen. Third, he makes her faith an exhibit to all. He encourages the others to emulate her faith. Fourth, his subduing the fountains of her hemorrhage was another sign of his knowledge of all things. And finally, do you remember the ruler of the synagogue? He was at the point of despair, of utter ruin. Jesus is indirectly admonishing him by what he says to the woman." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 31.2)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26 comments how they both overcame the restrictions of their community. The woman seeking healing was not supposed to be in a crowd where she could come into contact with other people. So touching Jesus’ garment was a bold, rule-defying act. The official faced down a different sort of obstacle. Other devout Jews might have scorned him for turning to this untested upstart. So when people ridiculed Jesus for saying the girl was sleeping, the official might have felt his faith waver.
Jesus recognized the strong faith of these two miracle seekers, but he also recognized their doubts and fears. To the woman he offered words of comfort: “Courage, daughter!” (Matthew 9:22). In Mark’s version of the story, Jesus also encouraged the official, telling him to “not be afraid; just have faith” (5:36). Jesus has the same words for you whenever you feel desperate. So hang on tightly to your faith! Jesus came to provide salvation and healing for everyone, the respected and the rejected. Believe in him, even when it seems impossible. He will come through in the end! “Jesus, help me to build my trust in you.”6
Friar Jude Winkler shares the backstory to Jacob’s flight and connects his dream to the struggle of Nathaniel in the Gospel. Matthew’s account of these healings differs from Mark. Jesus declares those who are both physically and spiritual healed as being saved. Friar Jude notes the little girl reminds us of being awakened in faith.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, wonders: Why did Jesus want to keep his identity secret? Was it perhaps that he didn’t fully understand it at that point himself, or because he didn’t want to be accepted for the wrong reasons? Brian McLaren has written about Jesus’ “secret message,” which is the loving, transforming, nonviolent, and revolutionary message of the Gospels, that institutional Christianity has so often missed or kept hidden.
What if Jesus’ secret message reveals a secret plan? What if he didn’t come to start a new religion—but rather came to start a political, social, religious, artistic, economic, intellectual, and spiritual revolution that would give birth to a new world? [1] Christ is asking each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” We each have to come to that moment of deciding who Christ/God/Ultimate Reality is for us. It means nothing if we intellectually accept that there is a God. The only moment that has any effect or revolution for us is when we acknowledge God’s active presence in our lives and the power of unconditional love.7
Our experience of Jesus' love is a starting point to meditate on how the plan of God for all people is being fulfilled.
References
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