Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:

We human beings are very breakable… we have to be handled with care.  It seems we are always in need of healing.  The whole spectrum of patients in need of healing is on full display in today’s gospel: a long-suffering woman; an anxious, powerless father; and a critically ill little girl.  All three are in desperate need of healing.  They have exhausted all other means of healing.  There is nowhere else to turn but Jesus.  And Jesus, who is the very Compassion of God responds, with a simple touch, a liberating word, and an outstretched hand.  Jesus does not leave these hurting people in the lurch; he does not abandon them in their pain.  He speaks consoling words like: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” and “do not be afraid… just have faith.”

My friends: Jesus is the Master healer.  The ultimate source of healing is the grace of Christ.  In fact, wherever there is a wound, the Lord is there, present and working through people and situations and prayers to bring about healing.  As Jesus says to all of us in the gospel story today: all we have to do is, “just have faith.”  And so, may our faith in the grace Christ offers us in the Eucharist heal our wounds and make us whole in his love!