HOMILY FOR 4TH TUESDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: JESUS’ WORDS OF HOPE AND COMFORT
BY: Fr Isaac Awe
What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do about his lost beloved daughter?
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR THE 4TH TUESDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME
Peter Chrysologus, “He trusted therefore in God that his daughter would be recreated, and restored to life by that same hand which, he knew, had created her. ..He who laid hands on her to form her from nothing, once more lays hands upon her to reform her from what had perished.”
Do we approach the Lord with expectant faith? People in desperate or helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought Jesus out. Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!).
Jesus also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbours and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death.
In both instances we see Jesus’ personal concern for the needs of others and his readiness to heal and restore life. In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do we approach the Lord with confident expectation that he will hear our request and act?
PRAYER: Lord, you love each of us individually with a unique and personal love. Touch our lives with your saving power, heal and restore us to fullness of life. Help us to give wholly of ourselves in loving service to others. Amen.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>