Click here to read the daily readings from the USCCB website.
“My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him.
Wow. We see here the fruit of a bold faith. The official from today’s Gospel simply asked and Jesus came. Simple as that.
The woman suffering hemorrhages came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak and was cured.
When Jesus became a human person, when God became man, He invited us to draw close to Him. His mere existence is an invitation. He has made the first move, but He waits until we respond. Jesus is a gentleman; He will not force Himself where He is not wanted. Though He may create a situation in which we can’t help but respond to Him.
My reflection today is simple. What can you take to Jesus? What are you struggling or suffering with? And then, are you open to whatever way He chooses to respond? Will your faith only be confirmed if you get what you want from your prayer?
Don’t get me wrong, we can and should expect miraculous things from God, but we don’t get to decide what those miracles are. Maybe our family member dies. Maybe we don’t get that job we needed. Maybe God still feels like He’s not there.
The truth is, though, that God’s ways are not our ways. He sees the bigger picture and everything is in His hands. I’ll say it again, everything that happens is either willed or allowed by God and ordered for our good. We may not understand how what we’re experiencing is good, but in those situations reach out! Ask to speak with a trusted priest. Arranged a time to chat with a holy friend. Be open to what they have to say.
God loves you. He really does.
-Amanda Benner, Director of Evangelization