THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Four Steps to Faith and Trust

The readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time show us how God wants nothing for us but life and goodness; we just need to have faith and let Him rescue us. As we are being reminded of God’s desire for life and generosity, it is crucial for us to see the importance of faith and the call to share our blessings with others. 

The first reading is about God’s desire for life for us, not death. Death came to the world through the devil’s envy and not from God. In the second reading we learn about how God desires abundance for all of his children. And in the gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus brings a young girl back to life and heals a woman who has been suffering for 12 years. 

There are four key takeaways from these readings. The first is God’s Gift of Life: God created life to be everlasting. The second is Generosity Encouraged: St. Paul urges us to excel in giving. If we share our life and abundance, we can help meet the needs of others. Neither life nor enerosity is only about giving money. It is about sharing our time, talents, and love. When we help others, we show God’s love in action. (From an early age, as were perhaps many of you, I was taught that it is better to give than to receive.) 

The third takeaway is having Faith in Jesus: A woman was healed by her faith in Jesus. It is through her faith that she was brought back to health. We must have faith and trust in God’s timing. The fourth is Jesus’ Power Over Death: Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter, showing to Jairus that Jesus does in fact have power over death. This is a reminder to all of us that Jesus has authority over death and love for all mankind. These two miracles are Jesus’ way of teaching us to trust in his power and love; both the woman with the hemorrhages and Jairus are examples of the importance of having strong faith. The stories also remind us that Jesus is always ready to help us. 

Everyone faces challenges in their lives. But no matter the situation, it is our faith in Jesus that can bring us comfort and hope. As we reflect on this week's readings, let us remember to always turn to Jesus in our times of need. We need to trust in his power to heal and restore. Let us pray, Lord Jesus,  to have trust in you, especially when we are in times of trouble. Give us the faith to reach out to you — and the patience to wait for your help. Amen.

–Duane Morris

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.