Take Heart, Daughter

While Jesus 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.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. Matthew 9:18-26

Gracious Creator you gather all the children

you tenderly care for them and heal them

they teach us your love through their faith

they renew our hopes and dry our tears.

Daily we fear for the safety of our children

and we strive and struggle to care for them

you loved them first and love them always

and each one is nestle in your loving heart.

You went to the home of a broken father

the local people laughed at both of you

for expecting the dead girl to rise up

and yet you silenced them by her living.

Help us to silence the fears within us

and give us courage to silence the crowd

so that your healing and love may flow

in the people and places where fear abides now. Amen