Have you noticed what happens in waiting rooms? There are usually two kinds of people. One person walks straight to the desk and says, “Excuse me, I have been waiting forty-five minutes. Is my name still on the list?” Bold, Clear. Direct.
Then there is another person who sits quietly, shy, watching everyone else go in, smiling politely while their soul slowly leaves their body. They keep telling themselves, “I don’t want to be difficult.” Meanwhile, the little fish tank in the corner of the room has become the most interesting thing. Some people come forward. Some people wait from behind. Both may be carrying real urgency. And sometimes, that is exactly how we come to God.
Some people come to God from the front. Some come from behind. In today’s Gospel, the official comes forward. He is a public man, probably known in the synagogue, a man with a name, a place, and a reputation. He comes openly, kneels before Jesus, and says, “My daughter has just died, but come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” That is what I call a front-door faith. Clear, public, desperate, and brave.
But the woman comes from behind. She has no title, we don't know her name, no introduction, no room in the crowd. After twelve years of bleeding, shame, doctors, disappointment, and ritual exclusion, she does not feel able to face Jesus. She does not make a request. She does not ask for a meeting. She approaches from the back. She simply reaches for the edge of His cloak. That is what I call back-door faith. Silent, trembling, and almost embarrassed, but still deep faith.
People Approach God in Different Ways
We understand this, because even in ordinary life, people approach differently. Some walk straight to the reception desk and explain everything clearly. Others hover near the doorway, pretending to read an old noticeboard, hoping someone kind will notice them. Some people raise their hand in a meeting. Others send a message later saying, “I was just wondering if…” The human heart has many different entrances.
And Jesus receives both. That is the beauty of this Gospel. Faith does not always arrive looking confident. Sometimes it walks forward and kneels. Sometimes it sneaks in from behind and touches a tassel. Sometimes it has words. Sometimes it has only tears. Sometimes it can say, “Lord, come.” Sometimes it can only whisper, “If I could just touch…”
The official’s pain is visible. His daughter is dead; the house is already full of mourners. His grief has witnesses,, people have gathered in his house, there are mourners, But the woman’s pain is hidden. Some wounds receive sympathy. Other wounds are carried secretly for years behind a normal face and a polite smile.
Jesus Notices Us in Our Waiting
And Jesus stops for her. He is on the way to a dead child, and still He notices one trembling touch from behind. He does not say, “Madam, please wait; I am currently handling a more urgent miracle.” Jesus has no priority line for respectable suffering. He turns, sees her, and calls her “daughter.”
That one word is a resurrection before another resurrection. For twelve years she may have been called unclean, cursed, difficult, hopeless,. Jesus calls her daughter. Then He goes to the official’s house, takes the dead girl by the hand, and raises her. One woman touches Jesus secretly; one girl is touched by Jesus openly. One is healed in the crowd; one is raised in the room.
So come forward if you can. Come from behind if you must. But come. Come with the prayer you can say aloud. Come with the prayer you cannot explain. Come with your public grief and also your private wound. Jesus is not offended by either path. Jesus notices those who come forward. Jesus also feels the touch of those who come from behind. And in His mercy, even those who come from behind never remain behind.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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