7/7/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 9:18-26

18 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.”
19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak.
21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him.
25 When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.
26 And news of this spread throughout all that land.

7/7/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 9:18-26

The two stories found in the Gospel reading above shows that the longing for healing whether physical, emotional, or spiritual is one that touches the heart of every human being. They are more than just historical accounts; They serve as a roadmap for anyone seeking restoration through Jesus. Let us reflect on the power, faith, and humility demonstrated in those healing moments and how we can apply these truths to our lives today to experience healing ourselves.

First and foremost, healing begins with believing that Jesus can heal. This seems simple on the surface but it’s a profound shift in posture. It means truly trusting that He not only sees our pain but has the power and willingness to heal it. In the narrative, both the desperate father and the suffering woman came to Jesus with unwavering belief. The father didn’t come with a backup plan. The woman didn’t approach with hesitance. They both believed deeply, fully, and urgently that if they could just reach Him, something would change. That kind of faith invites the miraculous.

But faith alone is not passive; it takes action. The father made the journey to find Jesus. The woman pressed through the crowd to reach Him. They didn’t wait for healing to come to them. They moved. They pursued. In the same way, we must be willing to act on our faith whether it means coming forward in prayer, seeking counsel, or surrendering an area of our lives that we’ve kept tightly guarded. Faith that moves us forward is faith that opens the door to healing.

A critical element in this pursuit is humility. The woman didn’t demand anything. She didn’t seek attention or recognition. She simply reached for Jesus in silence, confident that even the smallest touch of His presence could bring the wholeness she longed for. Healing often begins in the quiet, surrendered places of our hearts where we admit we don’t have all the answers, and we lay down our pride. When we come to Jesus not with a list of demands but with a heart open to His will, healing begins to unfold in unexpected ways.

Another essential step is persistence. Healing is not always instant. Sometimes, it is a journey. Sometimes, like the woman in the story, we’ve been suffering for years before we find relief. But her persistence is what led her to breakthrough. She didn’t stop searching. She didn’t give up on the hope that she could be whole. In your own life, persistence may look like continued prayer, enduring faith, or refusing to believe that your situation is beyond redemption.

And finally, embrace the truth that Jesus responds to personal faith. He sees the crowd but He responds to the individual. He feels the touch of one hand. He hears the cry of one heart. Your pain is not lost in the sea of humanity. Your need is not too small or too big for Him to notice. He is not indifferent. When you come to Him in faith, He responds, not because you are worthy of it, but because He loves you. He is moved by your faith, even if it’s as small as a whisper or as fragile as a trembling hand.

So, if you are seeking healing today whether it’s from sickness, sorrow, shame, or struggle, know that Jesus is still the same. Reach for Him. Believe in His power. Act on your faith. Stay humble. Persist through the dark seasons. Trust that He sees you, hears you, and is willing to meet you where you are. Healing doesn’t always come in the way we expect but it always comes when we open our hearts fully to the One who holds the power to restore all things. You are not forgotten. Healing is not beyond reach. Keep moving toward Jesus and you will find Him already moving toward you.

Believe and be healed.

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