REFLECTION CAPSULE – July 10, 2023: Monday
“Growing in our trust and faith in the Lord and ‘walking’ with Him!”
(Based on Gen 28:10-22a and Mt 9:18-26 – Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)
A little boy had to walk around two kilometres to his school, through the congested and bustling city.
His mother had arranged a servant to accompany the child – while going and coming back from school – to ensure the child’s safety.
For this the servant was paid 30 rupees a day.
But when the child reached Third Standard (Grade 3) of school, he rebelled and told his mother: “I’ll walk myself to school!
And if you give me 10 rupees a day, I will be extra careful.
The rest of the money we can save and we all will be better off!”
After sometime of pleading and begging, the little boy finally got his way.
For the next three years, he walked himself – back and forth from school.
Years later, at a family party, the boy bragged about his independence and boasted to his family about how he had taken care of himself as a little boy, travelling alone to school.
His mother, on hearing the story, laughed and said:
“Did you really think you were alone?
Every morning when you left for school, I left with you. I walked behind you all the way.
Every evening when you got out of school, I was there. I set my eyes on you and protected you.
I always kept myself hidden; but I was there and I followed you all the way home.
I was always there for you, especially when you needed me!”
Similar is the case of God as well, in our spiritual walk…
…. We are never left alone
… We are always followed by the Lord!
There are moments when we think we can manage alone
There are other times when we feel there is none with me, in our journey
But the Lord always walks with us…!
He is the “God who accompanies us, in our journey of life!”
The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful incident of God walking with His people, especially in their moments of pain, loneliness and helplessness…
A God who accompanies…
… the official whose daughter had died: by bringing life and smile to his family (Mt 9: 18-19, 23-26)
… the woman with haemorrhage: by cleansing and restoring her to health (Mt 9: 20-22)
The Gospel focuses our attention on the “walk” of two persons:
The official whose daughter had died:
“An official CAME FORWARD, knelt down before Jesus…” (Mt 9: 18)
The woman with haemorrhage:
“A woman suffering haemorrhages CAME UP BEHIND Jesus….” (Mt 9: 20)
The official came walking ‘forward’
The woman came walking ‘from behind’
Both were persons in distress and despair
Both were suffering physical agony and mental anguish
Human life is characterised in these two persons…
The way “forward” is often an uncertain and blurred path, filled with distress and despair
The way “from behind” had often been an experience of physical agony and mental anguish
Loneliness plagues us in this walk of life…
Hopelessness often overtakes our walk of life!
This arduous walk of life, sometimes causes…
… some of us to give up and call it quits
… some of us to drown ourselves into addictions and unhealthy habits
Some even wish to make it “all alone” in life, thinking I can manage everything by myself
… abandoning even God!
But the official and the woman in the Gospel today show us the way:
When the path of life becomes tough with distress and despair…
When the journey of life is filled with physical agony and mental anguish…
… “walk forward” towards Jesus – surrendering the future – and plead for help and mercy: like the official!
… “walk from behind” towards Jesus – leaving the past – and touch Him: like the woman!
It is then that we experience and feel the power of the “God who accompanies us, in our journey of life!”
The “forward step” of the official towards Jesus, surrendering his future…
… helped him to experience the mighty touch of the Lord in the life of his daughter (Mt 9:25)
… Life was restored; smiles were brought back; good news was spread all over!
The “behind” approach of the woman towards Jesus, letting go her past…
… helped her to experience the healing and sanctifying touch of the Lord (Mt 9: 22)
… Bleeding was ceased; courage was praised; faith was blessed!
The incidents in today’s Gospel passage, invite us…
… to surrender our future to the Lord: knowing that He will render all things for our good, if we trust and co-operate with Him
… to let go of our past to the Lord: knowing that He will touch and heal us, of all our former wounds, if we seek Him with deep desire and longing
Yes, in our walk of life, the Lord tells us:
“Do you really think you are alone?
Every morning when you rise, I am with you. I walk behind you all the way.
Every evening when you rest, I am there. I set my eyes on you and protect you
I sometimes seem hidden; but I am there and I follow you all the way.
I am always there for you, especially when you need me!”
Let us grow in our trust and faith in the Lord and “walk” with Him!
God Bless! Live Jesus!