Matthew 9:18-26
18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment. 23 When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread through all of that district.
20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak…
One of my seminary professors used to say that ministry happens in the interruptions. She often told us to hold loosely to our schedules, leaving room for whatever the Holy Spirit brings to our door. I have found that to be one of the most valuable pieces of advice from my seminary days.
In today’s reading, a frantic father asks Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. Jesus immediately went with him to help. Along the way, a suffering woman grasps at the bottom of Jesus’ cloak in an attempt to be healed. When Jesus realizes what has happened, he stops in his tracks and cares for the woman before following the father the rest of the way to his house.
If I was standing at the check-out counter in a store and the person waiting on me turned away to deal with someone else in the middle of my transaction, I would be offended. That’s because we’ve been taught that, in polite society, interruptions are rude. But ministry is more like triage.
Ministry is about responding to the needs that the Holy Spirit brings across our path, whenever and however that happens. For good order, we set-up office hours and meeting times where important work of administration happens. Like spiritual first responders, we also remain ready to respond to interruptions by children of God who urgently need comfort, assistance, or spiritual care because Jesus showed us that most of ministry happens in the interruptions.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: Thank you for showing us that no need is insignificant, and that everyone who reaches out to you deserves to be seen and heard. AMEN