Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples.
20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
23 When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread throughout that district.'
“Your faith has made you well"
Today's Gospel narrates three miracles and signs that Jesus performs in the town of Capernaum. The old synagogue, known as "Jesus Synagogue," remains there among other ruins today, where even the stones speak about Jesus' presence, love and mercy.
In this reading, we are invited to concentrate on three miracles Jesus performed.
The miracle of Matthew's call, where he leaves his financial skills, job, and income to become a disciple. He changes his profession to become Jesus' self-consecrated follower. He celebrates his new belonging to Jesus' team with a dinner that Jesus is pleased to attend. He respects Matthew's co-workers, though they are not respected by the leaders of the local community. Here Jesus distinguishes the difference between the human person and the profession he/she practices. There are no prejudgments and, in the case of justified blame, leaving space for mercy.
The miracle of the woman suffering from a hemorrhage. She spent a lot of money looking for healing, but in vain, until she is deeply convinced that Jesus is the only healer. She even defies all social restrictions by approaching Him without telling Him or any other person why she decides to act incognito by touching just the fringe of His cloak. Her request is fulfilled, and Jesus is aware of the power of His love and mercy that brings her the recovery she is looking for. It is the Power of the Word by whom every thing, seen and unseen, is created. The original text uses the same Syriac Aramaic word for Power that we end with in the prayer Jesus taught us, "Our Father...because Yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory." The Power of Jesus gives us energy to be used for the common good. Remember that every act where energy is granted is the Lord's gift and should be used for positive purposes and God's glory.
The miracle of the Synagogue leader's daughter being brought back to earthly life. For Jesus, no one is excluded. He is not refusing to honor those who refuse to receive Him. In this case of emergency, Jesus' opponents are calling upon Him. They ask for His intervention as the last hope they believe in. On the way to the family's house, and despite the servants' news telling the father that the suffering young girl died, Jesus says to the leader of the Synagogue, "Don't be afraid, just believe, and she will be healed" Luke 8:50. The girl is brought back to life. Jesus is teaching us that He is present for everybody and for all cases. All He asks for is faith in His loving and merciful care.
Sacrifices to God are acceptable but He most desires the practice of Mercy.
Almighty and Merciful God, inspire us how to love with your heart, and to practice mercy as you do!