Gospel MT 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.

Reflection

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 is speaking; perhaps He is teaching the meaning of Scripture or even explaining what is right in the eyes of God.

He is interrupted by the sick girl’s father pleading for Him to come and lay His hand on her.

Jesus stopped what He was doing. He rose and followed the sick girl’s father and so did his disciples.

Interruptions can be frustrating, especially when we’re involved in what we consider to be important or even godly work.

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.”

Once again, Jesus is interrupted.

Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

In today’s gospel Jesus teaches that we should never be so busy that we miss an opportunity to tend to a person’s needs, be they physical or spiritual.

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.

Jesus came to make God’s love known. His life was a series of interruptions: healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, cleansing the leper, and raising the dead.

As you follow Jesus, do not judge those who would ridicule. Remember, that as children of God, our focus should always be to show “love for one another.”

“As followers of Jesus Christ, life’s interruptions are our work.” Unknown