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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 06 July 2026 Hosea 2:16,17-18, 21-22 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 9:18-26
So many things are happening in your gospel passage today, Lord Jesus, involving three key persons you have healed with crowds at the background; what I like most, dear Jesus are the gestures involved:
the official came forward and knelt before you and you rose and followed him; the sick woman came up behind you and touched your cloak you turned around to declare her her faith had saved her; in the official's home, you drove away the crowd making a commotion, then you came to take his daughter's hand laying dead on her bed and she was brought back to life.
How amazing Lord Jesus that you never fail to respond positively to our human gestures of coming forward to you, of coming behind you, and being still before you; in you, Jesus, our human gestures have become so divine, the ordinary so sublime like the sharing of meal in your name.
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 twleve 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 house and … When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by hand, and the little girl arose (Matthew 9:18-21, 25).
Bless us, Lord Jesus, to follow you in the desert of emptiness to be able to listen to you and most especially respond to you "in right and justice, in love and mercy, in fidelity" (Hosea 2:16, 21) that we may remain in your loving relationship always. Amen.
