“Go Away! The Girl Is Not Dead but Sleeping.”

The Gospel presents two extraordinary miracles that reveal the power of faith. A woman who had suffered for twelve years reached out to touch the tassel of Jesus' cloak, believing that even the smallest contact with Him could restore her. Her courage and faith were rewarded as Jesus proclaimed, "Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you." At the same time, a synagogue official trusted Jesus even when his daughter had died. While everyone else saw death as the end, Jesus declared, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping." What seemed impossible to human eyes was simply another opportunity for God to reveal His power. Jesus took the girl by the hand, and she arose. These miracles remind us that Christ is Lord over sickness, despair, and even death itself. What appears hopeless to us is never beyond His saving power. This Gospel also speaks to the many forms of "sleep" that affect our spiritual lives today. Sometimes our faith grows weak through discouragement. Sometimes our prayer becomes routine, our hope fades, or our love for God and neighbor grows cold. We may feel trapped by sin, fear, grief, addiction, or disappointment. Jesus comes to awaken every sleeping heart. He tells us not to be afraid of what seems dead within us because His grace can restore what we have lost. The Lord asks only that we approach Him with the same confidence shown by the hemorrhaging woman and the grieving father. Today the Church also celebrates the Memorial of Saint Maria Goretti, the young virgin and martyr whose life beautifully reflects the transforming power of God's grace. Though only eleven years old, she chose purity, forgiveness, and fidelity to Christ even at the cost of her life. Most remarkably, before she died she forgave the one who attacked her, praying that he would one day be with her in heaven. Her forgiveness eventually led to the conversion of her murderer, demonstrating that God's mercy can awaken even the hardest heart. Like the little girl in today's Gospel, Saint Maria Goretti reminds us that death does not have the final word. Her witness continues to inspire the Church because she believed that eternal life with Christ is greater than any earthly suffering. As we continue our journey of faith, today's readings encourage us to bring every impossible situation to Jesus. Whether we carry broken relationships, persistent illness, anxiety about the future, spiritual dryness, or wounds that seem beyond healing, Christ still reaches out His hand and says, "Do not be afraid." He is the faithful Bridegroom who restores His people, the compassionate Savior who heals those who trust Him, and the Lord of life who awakens us from every form of spiritual death. Let us never lose hope, for the God who raised the little girl and strengthened Saint Maria Goretti is still working miracles in the lives of those who place their complete trust in Him.