Gospel: Matthew 9: 18-26
A synagogue official - a man of importance, influence and power in his society - asks Jesus to bring his daughter back to life. Jesus agrees to do so. However, along the way a woman suffering from a gynecological issue that makes her ever unclean, approaches Jesus with the hope of being healed. Jesus stops to take the time to heal the woman and converse with her for a time. He then continues along the way to the official's house.
If Jesus gave priority to the synagogue official because of his status and influence, he would have neglected the needs of this poor woman. Yet, Jesus is ever attendant to the present moment and who is before him in the here and now. What is more, Jesus' intervention represents his preferential option for the poor. He did not make the woman wait until he was finished at the official's house. Jesus instead stopped to meet her needs first - an unnamed woman who was unclean and unapproachable.
The actions of Jesus in this Gospel portion lead us to reflect on our own lives. Do we consider the needs of the influential to be more important than those of the poor? Are we attentive to the present moment and the needs that present themselves there? Our ministry and way of life as followers of Jesus must mirror those he embodied. The needs of poor and vulnerable must be our first priority, and the present moment must be given attention at all times.
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