THE FEAST OF ST MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
THE FEAST OF ST MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
Courage, your faith has restored your health.
"WHAT IS FAITH? IT IS THE CONFIDENT ASSURANCE THAT SOMETHING WE WANT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS THE CERTAINTY THAT WHAT WE HOPE FOR IS WAITING FOR US, EVEN THOUGH WE CANNOT SEE IT UP AHEAD." (HEBREWS 11: 1 TLB).
“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 twelve 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 and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said,
“Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.” (Matthew 9: 18 - 26, Mark 5: 36)
Monday July 6th in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Maria Goretti. (1890 - 1902). Italian. Virgin and Martyr.
Maria was barely twelve years old when she was attacked by Alessandro Serenelli, a 19 years old man who tried to rape her. Maria resisted fiercely. Alessandro stabbed her to death.
Maria forgave him in her death bed. Alessandro spent 27 of 30 years in prison. Maria appeared to him in a dream and brought him flowers.
Alessandro went to Confession and became reconciled with God and with the Church.
Alessandro Serenelli was in the audience at the Vatican when Maria was canonized in 1950.
Without faith, we can do nothing. "The just shall live by faith." My faith is nourished by the two healing incidents in today's Gospel. It teaches me not to be afraid to ask Jesus to do big things for me. It reminds me that all things are possible for God and all things are easy for God.
"What is Faith and why is it so important?
"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead." (Hebrews 11: 1 TLB).
Everyone who matters in the Bible from Abraham, David, John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter and Paul were not just people of faith but lived by faith.
The woman with the issue of Blood in today's Gospel exercised her faith:
“If I only touch him, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned around and spoke to her. “Daughter,” he said, “all is well! Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was well from that moment." (Matthew 9: 21 - 22).
We are saved by grace through faith. You can start living by your faith right here and now.
July is the Month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
Purification in the Precious Blood:
The power of the Blood to wash away the deepest stains of sin in Confession.
Divine Mercy constantly rights what was disordered, realigning the soul with its eternal destiny.
“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.” (St Catherine of Siena).
For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:
No comments:
Post a Comment
23-Psalm1to2