Take Courage

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.  Matthew 9: 18 – 26

Today’s Gospel shows us the importance of faith, trust and perseverance.  When Jesus receives the official he does so with compassion and concern.  As Jesus rose to go with the official a woman risks all to touch the tassel of His cloak.  Ultimately she does succeed and is cured.  Jesus tells her that her faith has saved her and that her courage has cured her.  Arriving at the official’s house, Jesus sees the commotion and tells everyone to “go away!”  He came in and took her small had and she arose.  Two cures in one short passage.  Neither one of these cures would have happened without the faith and courage displayed by the woman and the official.  Perhaps when we feel we have no more to give it is just Jesus inviting us to stretch ourselves a little more and trust that Jesus will be there to take care of everything.