Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 5, 2021
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
Reflection
The story of Jesus healing the bleeding woman is but one of many miracles mentioned in the accounts of Jesus’ ministry, and it is not the only miracle in which Jesus heals someone of a physical illness. However, it is a passage that stands out to me because of its reminder of the remarkable healing power of faith.
Matthew shares that the woman, suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years, follows behind Jesus as he travels to resurrect the daughter of a synagogue leader. This miracle almost reads as an interruption to the revival story, and yet, it is a compelling account of faith at work.
I can’t help but think how isolated, how desperate, how unwanted this woman must have felt. She would have been considered an outcast—unclean in the eyes of others. She suffered for over a decade from an illness with no cure or relief, and most likely, her hope was dwindling. But even in those circumstances, when life had dealt her a hand she didn’t deserve, she had faith in the power of Jesus to heal and restore her.
How often do we find ourselves frustrated by a situation, a season, or a challenge we face? How often does a decision not go our way or a dream of ours not come to fruition? How often do we feel like no matter what we do, everything is going wrong, and perhaps we should just give up?
In these moments, I’m reminded by this passage of the need to symbolically reach out to touch the cloak of Jesus—through prayer, through scripture, through relationships with others. I’m reminded of the need to have courage that our small demonstrations of faith, in cooperation with God’s grace, will indeed save us, heal us, and allow each of us to be called cherished sons and daughters of Christ.
Prayer
God of compassion, we are mindful this day of the blessings you have given to us. May we be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, and faithful to the responsibilities they demand of us. Help us to be mindful of those who cry out for your justice and mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
When she was born and baptized in 1271, Elizabeth of Portugal was named after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and she grew up to emulate her aunt in holiness.
As a child, Elizabeth tried to imitate the virtue she saw in other people. She was known for her prayerfulness, obedience, and service to others.
As a young girl, she was married to the king of Portugal. The king did not match her piety with his own lifestyle, but allowed her whatever freedom she wanted to practice her faith. She consistently prayed at several points during her day, and attended Mass every morning. She was modest in the food she ate and the clothes she wore, and dedicated her life to serving God.
She was especially known for her service to the poor. She ordered people in her kingdom to give food and shelter to anyone they found traveling or living on the road. She, herself, would seek out people living in poverty and would help them in whatever way she could. She gave dowries to poor girls and established a hospital and orphanage. She also founded a home where women could escape exploitation and begin a new life.
Her husband was a considerate and generous ruler, but his personal life was a mess—he was selfish and unfaithful, which caused great scandal. Elizabeth devoted her energy to their two children.
Elizabeth was known as the “peacemaker” because at several points in her life, she brought about reconciliation between men who were competing for power, even between her husband and her son when he had grown. She is known to have averted several wars.
When her husband got sick, she cared for him night and day and helped him die a holy death. Then she went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and spent the rest of her life living near a convent that she founded. She followed the way of St. Francis and lived with great simplicity.
Elizabeth died while traveling to visit rulers in an effort to urge reconciliation. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, you were the quintessential peacemaker who averted wars with your faithfulness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Elizabeth of Portugal is in the public domain. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
