Faith Makes Room for Jesus to Work

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today’s Gospel begins with a father who is desperate. His daughter has just died. Yet instead of giving up, the father runs to Jesus and says something extraordinary: “Lord, come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” That’s incredible faith.

But before Jesus even reaches the house, something unexpected happens. A woman who has been suffering for twelve years quietly comes up behind Him. She doesn’t ask for attention. She doesn’t interrupt. She simply thinks, “If I only touch His cloak, I shall be cured.”

Two people. One is a respected leader. The other is an unnamed woman. One comes publicly. The other comes secretly. One has just begun to suffer. The other has suffered for twelve long years. Different stories. But they have one thing in common. They both believe that Jesus can change what no one else can. That is the theme for today: Faith makes room for Jesus to work.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever said, “I’ve already tried everything”? Maybe it was about your family. Your health. Your studies. Your marriage. Your prayer life. Sometimes we reach a point where we think, “Nothing is going to change.” That is exactly where today’s Gospel speaks to us.

The father could have stayed home in despair. The woman could have accepted that her life would never be different. Instead, both of them took one step toward Jesus.

Notice something beautiful. Jesus doesn’t say to the woman, “Your touch healed you.” He says, “Your faith has saved you.” Faith is not magic. Faith is trust. It is saying, “Jesus, I don’t know how You will work, but I believe You are here.” Sometimes we think faith means never having doubts. Not true. Faith means bringing our doubts to Jesus instead of letting our doubts keep us away from Him.

Maybe today you are like the father, carrying grief. Maybe you are like the woman, carrying a hidden wound that no one else knows about. Maybe you’ve smiled all week, but inside you’re exhausted. Jesus sees what others cannot. And He still says, “Come to Me.” The miracle begins long before the healing. It begins the moment someone decides to trust Jesus.

So today, don’t ask first, “Will Jesus fix my problem?” Ask instead, “Am I willing to bring my problem to Jesus?” Because faith is not about having all the answers. Faith is simply making room for Jesus to do what only He can do.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Sometimes I carry burdens that no one else sees. Sometimes I lose hope because I have waited so long. Today, give me the courage of the father and the quiet faith of the woman. Help me take one step toward You, trusting that You are already coming toward me. Teach me to believe that no wound is too deep, no situation is too hopeless, and no life is beyond Your touch. Strengthen my faith, and let my heart always make room for You. Amen.

– Homily by Rev Fr Patrick Agbeko