FIRST READING
“I will espouse you forever”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Hosea (Hosea 2:14bc.l5cd -16.1 9-20)
Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. And in that day, says the Lord, you will call me, ‘My husband,’ and no longer will you call me, ‘My Baal. ’And I will espouse you for ever; I will espouse you in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will espouse you in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 145:2-3.4-5.6-7.8—9 (R. 8a)
R/. The Lord is kind and full of compassion
I will bless you day after day,
and praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is great and highly to be praised;
his greatness cannot be measured. R/.
Age to age shall proclaim your works,
shall declare your mighty deeds.
They will tell of your great glory and splendour,
and recount your wonderful works. R/.
R/. The Lord is kind and full of compassion.
They will speak of your awesome deeds,
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness,
and sing of your just deeds with joy. R/.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in mercy.
How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures. R/.
ALLELUIA 2 Timothy 1:10
Alleluia. Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“My daughter has just died, but come and she will live.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 9:18-26)
At that time: While Jesus was speaking, behold, a ruler 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 rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I shall 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. And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, “Depart; 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 arose. And the report of this went through all that district.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The healing of the daughter of the Jewish official and the woman who suffered from severe haemorrhage is a clear demonstration of the power of God at work through the healing ministry of Jesus. Through the paschal mystery, Jesus has won victory over sin and every form of evil including sickness. But for us to be healed we need faith; faith in Christ disposes us to his healing power and grace. The people of Israel also needed faith in order to make possible the miracle of a renewed covenant with Yahweh after a long period of exile and strained relationship with him.