MONDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 4, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to 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.

REFLECTION

"Your faith has saved you."

One week ago we ate at Shake Shack in Houston. There were 7 of us in the party and no one noticed that a stuffed toy was left behind.

The next day as our Colorado family was packing up to go home, 5 year old Rhett James could not find his black teddy. We assumed it was left at the restaurant or the museum and it would never be found.

He asked me to look for it at home. Teddy was not found. What were the possibilities that the stuffed toy would be at the restaurant or the museum?

Yesterday on his way to church, Rhett called asking in a sad voice if I had found his teddy. Since we were in Houston we went to the restaurant to inquire if they had found one week ago a teddy bear. I was mid sentence when the manager went to the cash register and brought out Teddy. Teddy had been sitting by the cash register all this time waiting to be picked up.

The adults had lost any hope that the toy would be found. The sweet, innocent, trusting and non failing faith of a child made it possible to reunite with Teddy. Are we not asked to have that same faith and hope with Jesus: to become childlike, with no hardened hearts, no predisposed opinions, judgments but seeing life with simplicity and humility? We should approach God with our troubles with expectant faith and confidence knowing that He will hear our request and act on it.

God Bless You

"The Lord is gracious and merciful"

Psalm 145