Hands Can Heal

Monday of the 14th Week. (July 4, 2011)

First reading: Genesis 28:10-22a
Reponsorial Psalm: Psalm 91 "In you, my God, I place my trust."
Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

Our GOD is a Faithful GOD, who teaches us to be faithful to HIM.

The Gospel today tells us of Jesus' healing of the official's daughter and a woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. Notice how these two events differ in the way Jesus healed them (the official's daughter and the woman with hemorrhage); but are healed by the one and same God.

Both the official's daughter and the woman with hemorrhage had their Jesus-experience. First, the OFFICIAL'S DAUGHTER:

[An official came to Jesus and said:] “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ... ... [Jesus] came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. [Matthew 9:18, 25 (NAB)]

Second, THE WOMAN WITH HEMORRHAGE:

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. [Matthew 9:21-22 (NAB)]

Put simply:

Their only difference is how they are healed. The official's daughter was TOUCHED BY CHRIST. While the woman with hemorrhage was the one who TOUCHED JESUS CHRIST.  But both recipient's of GOD'S HEALING never got  short of being healed. Their common denominator was their FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

In our everyday lives, we should allow Jesus to "touch our lives" because HE LOVES US SO. Allow Him to direct our lives; allow Him to heal us; allow Him to unload our unnecessary burdens;  allow Him to be our God. Just like what Jacob did in the first reading:

Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back safe to my father’s house, the LORD shall be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.” [Genesis 28 :20-22 (NAB); Emphasis mine.]

Not only should we open ourselves to Jesus, but we should also "touch Christ" by seeking HIM and loving HIM. Who we are, where we are, and in whatever state our life maybe, always look for a Jesus-Experience. Ask, "Lord, what do you want to teach me right now? Lord, what are You revealing to me? Lord, what are you telling me?" And the Lord will never fail for He is a faithful GOD for such is His promise:

[The LORD said to Jacob in a dream: " ... ] Know that I am with you;  I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you. [Genesis 28:15 (NAB)]

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Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us!

*Clicking "Saint" would lead you to the "Saints we celebrate on the 4th of July" at www.saints.sqpn.com.
*Clicking on "Elizabeth of Portugal" would lead you to the page of "St. Elizabeth of Portugal" at www.saints.sqpn.com.

GOD bless-