As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” While he 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 9:9-13, 18-26
Two women, one young, one older, have an encounter with Jesus that saved and changed their lives. I always find it extraordinary that, despite the fact that women had no importance in Gospel times, Jesus is ready to heal them and forgive them. He doesn't treat them like second class citizens but equal and worthy. In these times, when people are being separated out as less than worthy, we are invited by God to open our hearts and to see others as beloved and so very worthy. The Pharisees were ready to jump to judgement, but our Creator is not and loves each one despite how the world and the powerful behave. Jesus tells us all to take heart, to live by faith and trust that we are all beloved.
Wondrous Creator, author of all goodness and light
you have made every person your beloved child.
Lord Jesus, help us take heart and have faith in your eternal love.
We live in times when some are treated as criminals
their only crime is difference and aching for a home.
Lord Jesus, help us take heart and have faith in your eternal love.
You have promised to make a home for each of us
despite the way our leaders and others might behave.
Lord Jesus, help us take heart and have faith in your eternal love.
The times are tough and it's hard for us to have faith
yet you, O Lord, love us as children, your beloved.
Lord Jesus, help us take heart and have faith in your eternal love.
Give us eyes to see those around us as beloved ones
help us defend them and care for the burdened ones.
Lord Jesus, help us take heart and have faith in your eternal love.
For you, call us all to take heart, and have faith
as your healing and renewal is still present here.
Lord Jesus, help us take heart and have faith in your eternal love. Amen.
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