Among the images of God depicted in Scripture, the portrayal of God as gracious, merciful, close to people, and in charge of healing and wholeness stands pre-eminent. In the history of Israel and Jesus’ ministry on earth, we see God’s patient pedagogy in dealing with human beings. This process involves transformation, healing, generosity, and wholeness instead of radical destruction and displacement. Attentiveness to the divine pedagogy narrated in the Old and New Testament experiences of God is vital.
The readings today from Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22 and the Gospel of Matthew 9:18-26 vividly bring forth this image of God through two different narratives. The Prophet Hosea testifies to God’s restoration of Israel like a bride to His spouse. He says: “I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.” Also, the gospel presents two scenes of Jesus’ miracles—the healing of the sick and the raising of a young girl from death. These biblical texts offer insight into the life-giving God who heals, renews, builds community, and enables generosity.
The Touching and the Healing
The woman cured of hemorrhage in today’s gospel said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus declared, “The girl is not dead but sleeping.” Both the woman and Jesus were confronted with a crowd of people who posed an obstacle to their conviction. The crowd in Jesus’ own case laughed at him when he said the girl is not dead but asleep.
I am inspired to hold onto my convictions and belief on the promises of God. Each person has her/his unique covenant and history with God. This covenant is the point of contact for our divine experiences even to the amazement of ‘outsiders.’ Our covenant with God is unique for each individual, it is a divine-human pedagogy – a discipleship.
God’s Will in Making Us Whole
God, the creator, wishes the salvation of all and for everyone to share in His life and glory. For Christians, salvation means not only a new life in the otherworld. It also emphasizes healing and wholeness in the present, bearing witness to God’s salvation. Jesus testified that fullness of life is central to His ministry for the kingdom, saying, “I have come that they may have life in abundance” (John 10:10). His ministry demonstrated that salvation includes freedom from oppression, justice, solidarity, and favor.
Jesus’ exercising of supreme power over sickness and death to foster human flourishing uniquely contributes to the meaning of religion, fundamentally geared towards realizing humanity’s destined course in life. Religion, which serves humanity by humanizing and divinizing, is life-giving and affirming, not life-denying.
Faith in this pedagogy of life-giving shatters our human tendencies towards entitlement. It places us at the level of creatures living in faith, hope, and love. Faith not only mediates the revelation of the God beyond our habitual patterns of naming but also fosters trust that we shall receive what we hope for. The emerging face of God—the unknown God—wants to be known and is displayed through discrete withdrawal, distance, transcendence, or silence.
I pray for all who are seeking God’s miraculous healing. May the words of the gospel ring true for them. Amen.
[Readings for Monday Week 14: Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22; Matthew 9:18-26]
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