Monday 14th Week in Ordinary Time July 8, 2024

Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday 14th Week in Ordinary Time
July 8, 2024, Matthew 9:18-26
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070824.cfm  

Effective Prayer

Why does God sometimes answer our prayers right away, and other times, it seems like it takes forever? Has that question ever crossed your mind? Today’s gospel will help us answer that query. 

The lady in the gospel suffered for 12 years from a hemorrhage. I wonder how many times she asked the Lord to heal her. The official in today’s gospel made one request to bring back to life his dead son. Jesus got up and followed him.

In the case of the official, Jesus experienced in His Person the grief and sorrow of this father. And perhaps with the lady with a hemorrhage, Jesus needed a personal encounter with her so she could know that He carried her pain in His own Body. 

When you pray for yourself or someone else, recall the presence of Jesus within you. Don’t just ask him to heal or work miracles to make life easier and better. Kneel down with the official and ask Jesus to lay His hand on you, carrying your pain and suffering.

Please remember that he immediately got up and followed the father to his son’s bed. Also, remember, all it took was a touch of Jesus’ cloak for Him to experience the pain and long-suffering of the woman with a hemorrhage. 

Gospel Challenge:

Note the difference between asking a favor and being with Jesus. Let’s make every moment we experience an encounter with the Person of Jesus. 

Jesus is waiting to be with you, just as you are. Now Go!

Ove Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 
pastor