GOSPEL POWER l JULY 4, 2022 - Monday of 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal

Gospel: Mt 9:18-26 

18Jesus was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of  the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter  has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”  19And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20Then  suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for  twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak,  21for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made  well.” 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter;  your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made  well. 23When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute  players and the crowd making a commotion, 24he said, “Go away;  for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25But  when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the  hand, and the girl got up. 26And the report of this spread throughout  that district. 

In Mark’s version of this episode, the official comes to Jesus  while his daughter is still alive. He believes Jesus to be a  powerful healer who can restore his child to full health. But  in Matthew’s version, the official comes to Jesus when his daughter  is already dead. His request, therefore, is an implicit acknowledgment  of the divinity of Jesus; for who can raise the dead to life but God alone?  The different ways of telling the story must not disturb or confuse us.  The evangelists are not giving a news report of the event, but their  interpretation of it, based on their respective theological purposes.  We, readers, should not pit one evangelist against the other, but  appreciate the unique perspective from which each one shares his  faith with us. 

Lord Jesus, help us to appreciate the witness of the evangelists as a chorus  of voices blending into a harmonious canticle of faith. Amen.