Miracles Are on the Way ~ by Mary Ann Allen
Have you noticed that when people ask Jesus for help, good things begin to happen?
So often, in times of trouble, we experience doubts that those issues can ever be resolved. We lose confidence as others add to our confusion by their negative remarks and attitudes. But Jesus shows us through the story of the raising of the daughter of the synagogue official, that in times of trouble, healing can come.
Jesus didn't pay any mind to the people who met Him and His followers on their way to the official's home. These people claimed that the little girl had already died, so why bother continuing the journey. These people were negative forces at work, trying to discourage any hope that Jesus could help. Jesus simply told the official: "Do not be afraid; just have faith."
When the company reached the official's home, they were met by people weeping and wailing because they believed the child was dead. Again, we see the negativity of people who do not believe anything could change what they thought was the unalterable fact of death.. "The child is not dead but asleep," Jesus told them. Jesus removed these negative people from the scene by putting them out of the house.
Then with Peter, James, John and the parents of the little girl, He entered the room where the child lay. We know what happened next. Jesus took the child's hand and said, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
We see in this story of the ministry of Jesus, that nothing is beyond the power of God. We have to remain confident that God can change a hopeless situation into a healing of either body or spirit. As our homilist reminded us, transformations can take place in our lives if we can make the necessary changes. When all seems lost, call on God and have faith that He will listen.
Today's first reading from the book of Wisdom encourages us with these words: "God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being..."
God's love overshadows everyone and everything. Even in the midst of sorrow and despair, miracles are on the way.
~ Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~
Oil on canvas (1878) by Gabriel Max
So often, in times of trouble, we experience doubts that those issues can ever be resolved. We lose confidence as others add to our confusion by their negative remarks and attitudes. But Jesus shows us through the story of the raising of the daughter of the synagogue official, that in times of trouble, healing can come.
Jesus didn't pay any mind to the people who met Him and His followers on their way to the official's home. These people claimed that the little girl had already died, so why bother continuing the journey. These people were negative forces at work, trying to discourage any hope that Jesus could help. Jesus simply told the official: "Do not be afraid; just have faith."
When the company reached the official's home, they were met by people weeping and wailing because they believed the child was dead. Again, we see the negativity of people who do not believe anything could change what they thought was the unalterable fact of death.. "The child is not dead but asleep," Jesus told them. Jesus removed these negative people from the scene by putting them out of the house.
Then with Peter, James, John and the parents of the little girl, He entered the room where the child lay. We know what happened next. Jesus took the child's hand and said, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
We see in this story of the ministry of Jesus, that nothing is beyond the power of God. We have to remain confident that God can change a hopeless situation into a healing of either body or spirit. As our homilist reminded us, transformations can take place in our lives if we can make the necessary changes. When all seems lost, call on God and have faith that He will listen.
Today's first reading from the book of Wisdom encourages us with these words: "God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being..."
God's love overshadows everyone and everything. Even in the midst of sorrow and despair, miracles are on the way.
~ Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~
Oil on canvas (1878) by Gabriel Max
Labels: ordinary time, sundayreflection
posted by mary ann @ Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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