In Right and In Justice

In Right and In Justice

July 9, 2012

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

I will espouse you to me forever:  I will espouse you in right and in justice,  in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.  Hosea 2:21-22

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.  Matthew 9:23-36

Piety

Father, give me the constancy to bless you in my daily words and works even though your grandeur is beyond understanding.  Help our generation praise your deeds and pass along our awe to the next generation.  Jesus, you are gracious and merciful, good to all, despite our anger, doubts and fears.  Holy Spirit, we thank you for helping to carry us through these doubt-filled dark nights until we can overcome the obstacles that keep us from you. 

Study

Jesus has been having a hard time lately with those people who know him best.  When he was preaching in the temple, they doubted his credentials.  Today, they ridiculed him for attempted to heal the girl who had died.  However, the story of Jarius' daughter and the rare resurrection narrative is told by several of the Gospel writers. 

Although these miracles were rare in the accounts of the evangelists, there were documented cased of Jesus bringing people back from the dead before his resurrection story plays out.  

By the end of this episode, Jesus' reputation has gone from ridiculed to awe-inspiring as the news spread of his great works. 

Jesus wants us to be Good News Spreaders.  That is why he characterizes his right relationship with us as a spouse founded on the cornerstone of fidelity, justice, love, and knowledge. 

Action

Into which camp would our behavior fall?  Would we be among those casting doubt on Jesus and his work?  Or would we be among those spreading the good news of this works he is accomplishing?