Faith that Saves

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070918.cfm) reminds me that our faith can save us. 

A few weeks ago, we saw a similar gospel. However, today is a different account, and a little worse than last time. 

In the gospel, we see a different account of Jesus’ healing power. in Mark’s version, it was Jairus whose daughter who was sick. However, in today’s version, no name was given – but the situation was worse. The child was not just sick, but dead already. So we see a man with stronger faith, for he believes that Jesus can heal and bring back to life even her dead daughter. He travelled even if he knew his daughter was dead. He had faith in Jesus’ power and he had faith Jesus would do as he asked. And his faith did not go unnoticed. 

On the way to the house, Jesus did another miracle. A faith filled woman with hemorrhages just touched Jesus’ cloak and she was healed. She did not ask aloud for healing, but God knows her faith, and used her faith to heal her as she touched Jesus’ cloak.

Faith saves!

The woman was saved, and the little girl was brought back to life. All by faith which activated God’s power – faith from the woman, and faith from the official.

There are times we are faced with similar situations. Problems seem to be too big, and nothing can be done already. Health is deteriorating, and just waiting for the time to pass away. Problems seem to overwhelm us to the point we feel hopeless and helpless. We should be inspired by the people. The man’s daughter already died, and the woman has been suffering for twelve years. Seems like an impossible situation, nothing can be done already. But not with God. Nothing is impossible with God. In the same way he used and rewarded the faith of those who came to him, he can still and will use and reward the faith of those who come to him today. We should just come to him in faith. 

What are my concerns right now? What am I praying for? What is something I want to be healed of or want to be freed from? What challenges are there in my life right now? Do I believe that I can go through this, through God’s grace? Do I know that nothing is impossible for God? Do I know that God needs my faith to save me?

May we be reminded on the power of faith in God, an do our part to improve our faith.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminders. Lord, I praise and thank you for your great, redeeming and healing love for me. Sorry for the times that I feel the situation is hopeless or impossible, that even you cannot do anything to improve it. Sorry for not having faith in you. I ask that you bless my efforts to strengthen my faith. As I read the bible, pray more, and partake of the sacraments and get to know you more, may my faith increase. May I always trust in you, no matter what the situation may be. I know Lord that nothing is too big or too small for you, and that you will always be there to guide and protect me, even if I cannot feel it sometimes. Use me Lord for your kingdom, and may my faith be a sign of your great love and power to others.  Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 9, 2018

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 383

Reading 1HOS 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 PS 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 TM 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 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.