Practical Faith Against all odds.

Monday 8^th July, 2019. Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 91 and Matthew 9:18-26

_*“And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.’” (Matthew 9:20-21)*_ 

It is easy to talk about faith when all is well with you, but the truth is that it is in a moment of crisis that you get to know exactly what you believe in. I am not too moved when I hear a wealthy man talk about faith but when I see a man who has practically nothing to live on or a man with terminal illness talk about faith, I am more likely to listen.

It is in the moment of crisis that you hear a Muslim call on Jesus Christ for help. It is in moments of crisis you see a holy man of God begin to consult a witch doctor; it is in moments of crisis you see a so-called gentleman take off his shirt to fight in public. In moments of crises, you see how people think and do the seemingly “impossible.”

In today’s Gospel passage, we meet two persons who were in very tough situations. A ruler whose daughter had just died and a woman who suffered from a haemorrhage for 18years. What is so beautiful about these two was that they had the courage to approach Jesus for solution believing strongly in their hearts that Jesus would do something.

The ruler was so sure that even death was not beyond Jesus to handle. He did not cry and pant but simply went to invite Jesus to fix up his daughter just as we invite an electrician to change a faulty switch in the house.

One would assume that having suffered for eighteen years the woman would have given up on her situation given that she must have tried several means of finding solution. She said to herself “If only I touch his garment, I shall be made well.”

Faith does not begin with the miracle, rather it attracts the miracle. Keep believing that things would get better, that something great is coming ahead of you, that no matter what you are facing right now, it will soon pass away.

Keep expecting, one day your expectations will become realities.

Like Jacob who had a dream and woke up to build an altar for God where he slept, we must keep our dreams alive and act on them. Do not kill your hope, do not sweep your dreams away. Keep your faith alive.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I surrender everything to you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 14^th week in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 91 and Matthew 9:18-26).