Such is the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for us that He does not just want an ordinary relationship with us. He wants an intimate relationship, where two hearts are joined as one, just like husband and wife.
In His great love for us, He is merciful, patient and kind. Some of us who are hemorrhaging with sin and overwhelmed by the challenges of the world, He restores to full health. And those who are dead in their sins or dead to the world, who have no hope, He restores to the life that should have been lived with and in Him.
Lord Jesus, I am yours, as you are mine, now and forevermore. Amen.
Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin, Martyr pray for us…
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First reading
Hosea 2:16,17-18,21-22
I will betroth you to myself and you will come to know the name of the Lord
It is the Lord who speaks:
I am going to lure her
and lead her out into the wilderness
and speak to her heart.
There she will respond to me as she did when she was young, as she did when she came out of the land of Egypt.
When that day comes – it is the Lord who speaks –
she will call me, ‘My husband’,
no longer will she call me, ‘My Baal.’
I will betroth you to myself for ever,
betroth you with integrity and justice,
with tenderness and love;
I will betroth you to myself with faithfulness,
and you will come to know the Lord.
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Gospel
Matthew 9:18-26
‘Your faith has restored you to health’
While Jesus was speaking, up came one of the officials, who bowed low in front of him and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.’ Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. Then from behind him came a woman, who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I can only touch his cloak I shall be well again.’ Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has restored you to health.’ And from that moment the woman was well again.
When Jesus reached the official’s house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion he said, ‘Get out of here; the little girl is not dead, she is asleep.’ And they laughed at him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took the little girl by the hand; and she stood up. And the news spread all round the countryside.
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