The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our concepts of fear and proclaim our faith is the path to freedom from beast-like behaviour.
The Reading from the Prophet Hosea introduces an oracle of doom that surprisingly leads to hope.
* [2:18–19] Baal: the word means “lord, master.” It was commonly used by women of their husbands, but it is to be shunned as a title for the Lord because of its association with the fertility gods, the Baals. Many Israelites saw little if any difference between the worship of the Lord and the worship of the Baals, thereby dishonoring the true source of the land’s fertility. (Hosea, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 145 declares the “works of God” make God present and invite human praise
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares as saved a woman suffering hemorrhages and the Daughter of a Synagogue leader 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.
* [9:18] Official: literally, “ruler.” Mark calls him “one of the synagogue officials” (Mk 5:22). My daughter has just died: Matthew heightens the Marcan “my daughter is at the point of death” (Mk 5:23).
* [9:20] Tassel: possibly “fringe.” The Mosaic law prescribed that tassels be worn on the corners of one’s garment as a reminder to keep the commandments (see Nm 15:37–39; Dt 22:12).
* [9:24] Sleeping: sleep is a biblical metaphor for death (see Ps 87:6 LXX; Dn 12:2; 1 Thes 5:10). Jesus’ statement is not a denial of the child’s real death, but an assurance that she will be roused from her sleep of death. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Kimberly Grassmeyer comments that people of privilege, like an “Official”, can influence or buy positive outcomes. We might wonder: Why did Jesus help “that guy”, when so many other children die? Why was he more deserving?
On deeper reflection, what became more meaningful to me was the reading’s illustration that the power and love of our God is always available, and available to all of us. “Ask and it shall be given.” The more powerful Official asked for help, and witnessed a miracle. The less powerful woman shyly acted in hope of a cure, and a cure was provided. Who can say which of the two was more deserving? Which of the two had greater faith? The good news for all of us is that God’s love is abundant and unending: power, status, or any other socially constructed identifier doesn’t matter after all. We all have equal access. Ask. It shall be given. Amen. (Grassmeyer, 2026)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Hosea married Gomer, an unfaithful wife who he forgave even as she kept turning away. Hosea presents this as a lesson to Israel continuing to return to false gods. Hosea proclaims Israel has been following her “baal”. Hosea will allure her, Gomer, as God will Israel into the desert to initiate a second opportunity to be espoused again. God wants the sinner to turn and return to His grace. By choosing sin we become cheap and beast-like. There are two healings in Matthew’s Gospel today. Touching the cloak of Jesus as an unclean person, was in opposition to Jewish culture that would have made Jesus unclean too. She touched and her faith has saved her, indicating Spirit and body were healed in an expression of faith. The mourners have begun to mark the death of the daughter of the Synagogue official and Jesus declares her sleeping and brings her back to life. Friar Jude notes there are two healings, smaller and larger. The daughter is not resurrected to eternal life, but reanimated because one day in the future she will die.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26 comments that each of us faces struggles or fears that can drown out the truths of faith. The noise of our doubts, the lies of the evil one, and maybe even the words of other people can confuse us about Jesus’ love and presence with us in our struggles. They can shake our faith and provoke panic in our hearts.
At moments like that, imagine Jesus beside you. Bring your swirling thoughts to him. Imagine him telling your doubts and fears to go away as he marches them to the door. Stay with Jesus. It can take time for these voices to calm down and the turmoil to dispel. Believe that he is with you and that he knows what he’s going to do. Trust in him no matter how long it takes. Let him remind you that you are his, and he will never leave you. He is your Lord; you can surrender every part of your life to him. Peace really is possible as you persist in bringing your “commotion” to Jesus and letting him deal with it.
Not only is Jesus with you, but he lives in you. So turn to him in the uproar, and let the peace and quiet of his presence strengthen your faith.
“Jesus, you are faithful. I fix my eyes on you as you take me by the hand.” (Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26, n.d.)
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, explores the first beatitude as a call to interior freedom, a key to participating in the kingdom of God. Christian Scripture scholars point out that the Greek word usually used for the peasant class is “tapeinoi”, but that is not the word Matthew and Luke use here. They use the word “ptochoi”, which literally means “the very empty ones, those who are crouching.” They are the beggars, the nobodies of this world who have nothing left. Jesus is saying, “Happy are you, you’re the freest of them all.”
The higher up we are in the system, the more trapped we are. The more we are outside the system, the freer we are. When we are high up in anything, we are expected to represent it, hold it together, and affirm it. The price of the truth can be very great, so we say what is needed to survive and to be liked inside the group, and to hold the group in unity.
“How blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), the ones who don’t have to play any of these games. Jesus is recommending a social reordering here, quite different from common practice. Notice how he also uses present tense: “The kingdom of God is theirs” (Matthew 5:3). He doesn’t say “will be theirs.” That tells us that the kingdom of God isn’t later. It’s present tense: We are the free ones now, if we remain without anything to protect or anything we need to prove or defend. (Rohr, n.d.)
As we contemplate the interaction of fear with our faith and freedom we implore the Spirit to guide our action as we live out our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.
References
Grassmeyer, K. (2026, July 6). Daily Reflection July 6, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-6-2026
Hosea, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/2?
Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?18
Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/06/1609483/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?
Rohr, R. (n.d.). How Do We Become Poor in Spirit? Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/how-do-we-become-poor-in-spirit/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heart, Your Faith Has Made You Well. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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