In today’s Gospel, we hear two instances of Jesus restoring life. In both cases, it is through proximity, through closeness to Jesus that the person is healed.
On His way to heal a young girl who has died, a woman suffering hemorrhages touches Jesus’ cloak in the hope of being healed of her ailment. He tells the woman, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” Imagine you are the one seeking healing from an ailment–be it physical or spiritual–and that Christ is saying that directly to you. “Courage, John/Jessica/Katie/Aaron! Your faith has saved you.” That’s powerful! Faith is powerful! That’s exactly what we are being told in this Gospel. When we feel weak and we authentically and faithfully seek out Christ to help us through that weakness, He answers our prayers.
This Gospel also shows us the power of intercession. In the healing of the young girl, it is the faith of her father that brings her back from the dead. It is her father who appeals to Christ and it is because of his faith that Jesus grants healing to the young girl. How often are we asked by those around us–family, friends, people on social media, our parish community–to pray for someone in need? How often do we say “of course I’ll pray for them!” and then not follow through with those prayers? I know I’ve done that more times that I would care to admit. This Gospel hopefully teaches us the importance of praying on behalf of others and shows us the power of those prayers.
Even though we cannot physically touch Jesus as the young girl and the woman suffering hemorrhages could, we can grow close in relationship to Him. Through prayer and through the sacraments we can stay close to Christ.
May we continue to grow in relationship with Christ for the sake of ourselves and of others.
En el Evangelio de hoy, escuchamos dos instancias donde Jesús restaura la vida. En ambos casos, es por la proximidad, por la cercanía a Jesús que la persona se cura.
Mientras está en camino a curar a una joven que ha fallecido, una mujer que sufre hemorragias toca el manto de Jesús con la esperanza de ser sanada de su dolencia. Le dice a la mujer: “¡Ánimo, hija! Tu fe te ha salvado.” Imagina que tú eres eras la persona que busca la curación de una dolencia, ya que sea física o espiritual, y que Cristo te diga directamente. “¡Ánimo, Juan/Yesica/Katalina/Aarón! Tu fe te ha salvado.” ¡Eso es poderoso! ¡La fe es poderosa! Eso es exactamente lo que dice este Evangelio. Cuando nos sentimos débiles y buscamos a Cristo auténtica y fielmente para que nos ayude a superar esa debilidad, Él responde a nuestras oraciones.
Este Evangelio también nos muestra el poder de la intercesión. En la curación de la joven, es la fe de su padre que la resucita de entre los muertos. Es su padre quien apela a Cristo y es por su fe que Jesús cura a la joven. ¿Con qué frecuencia los que nos rodean (familia, amigos, personas en las redes sociales, nuestra comunidad parroquial) nos piden que oremos por alguien que lo necesita? ¿Con qué frecuencia decimos “¡por supuesto que voy a rezar por ellos!” y luego no damos seguimiento con la oración? Sé que yo lo he hecho más veces de las que me gustaría admitir. Esperamos que este Evangelio nos enseñe la importancia de orar en nombre de los demás y nos muestre el poder de esas oraciones.
Aunque no podemos tocar físicamente a Jesús como la jovencita y la mujer que sufría hemorragias, podemos acercarnos más a Él. A través de la oración y a través de los sacramentos podemos permanecer cerca a Cristo.
Que sigamos creciendo en nuestra relación con Cristo por el bien de nosotros mismos y el bien de los demás.
Dakota lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Ralph, and their two sons, Alfie & Theophilus. She is the Dean of Enrollment Management for Bishop Machebeuf High School where her husband also teaches. You can find Dakota at the zoo or a brewery with her family or with her nose in a book at home. For more of Dakota’s writing check out https://dakotaleonard16.blogspot.com/
Feature Image Credit: Gera Juarez, www.cathopic.com/photo/15891-sagrado-corazon
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 
Arthur Richardson is married to his wonderful wife, Gabby Richardson. Most of his work experience is in ministry. He was a retreat missionary in Wisconsin for two years and a youth minister for three years. He is now the Web Project Manager here at Diocesan, and loves it!
Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is the author of the newly released title
Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at 
Leslie Sholly is a Catholic, Southern wife and mother of five, living in her hometown, Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Georgetown University with an English major and Theology minor. She blogs at 
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 50 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the 3-year-old who teaches him what the colors of Father’s chasubles mean. He has served on a Catholic School board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and four grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
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