4th Week in Ordinary Time (Year A) : Tuesday 30th January 2024

Though Absalom instigated a rebellion, King David commanded his followers not to kill him. Death was not the solution for King David. His aim was to make amends and rectify his relationship with Absalom.  However, his hope for a reconciled relationship was dashed. King David mourned the death of Absalom, and this reversed his men’s triumph into grief.

In the Gospel reading, two acts are worth noticing: first, the request of the synagogue official made to Jesus and the quiet longing of the woman suffering from hemorrhage which signifies a transition in life of faith. This transition of new life is further enacted in the second act, the healing of a woman from her hemorrhage and also the raising of the 12-year-old daughter of the synagogue official.

What is most astounding is that these two individuals not only were healed but restored back to society and family by Jesus. This is only possible in a faith relationship, whether the faith is quiet and firm within the heart or publicly expressed through our gestures. Jesus’ healing is His divine prerogative, acted through human longing and gestures. A gesture of faith acted with good intention not only brings healing but can also nourish a relationship.

Lord, grant us the grace so that our gestures of faith renew our relationship with others.