Matthew 19:14
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Gospel: Matthew 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Matthew describes two cases of healing: a twelve-year-old girl on the brink of death, and a woman who’s been hemorrhaging for the last twelve years.
Together, they represent all of humanity. The girl represents all children who suffer, along with the pain and helplessness of their parents. The older woman represents all who are aging, whose bodies have grown weak under the burden of years.
In each case, if the sick person is to be healed, then the Law must be broken.
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According to Jewish Law, if a person touched a corpse – certainly that of a non-family member – then that person was rendered ritually impure. And yet, when Jesus touches her hand, the child is healed.
Similarly, the older woman was ritually impure because of her flow of blood. Yet, in touching Jesus, she is healed.
The irony is stunning.
In both cases, following the Law leads to death. But breaking it in faith leads to life.
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What type of legalism still exists in the Church today? Are there rules or laws preventing people from making contact with Jesus?
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I wonder how many in our world could be healed if only they could touch the tassel of his cloak.
It seems that is what matters most. Not following a strict set of rules; rather, faith in the Son of God, “who has loved us and given himself for us.”
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Image credits: (1) Skyland United Methodist Church (2) Mandala, Galilee (3) Come to Me, Catholic Herald