July 6, 2026 // Optional Memorial of Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr // Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:18–26

Reflect on the Word // 

It had been nearly fifteen years since we’d been in the same room, and I could hardly wait to see my dear friend—this friend who taught me to love God’s Word.

A lot happened in those fifteen years, a lot of life, big life. In her case, she’d lost her only son when he was murdered by a homeless drug addict. Some years before that, her husband fell, broke his neck, and was now a quadriplegic. My dear friend is his caretaker, even as she continues to work a full-time job.

As I was waiting for her, I texted and asked her what she was driving so I’d know what car to look for. She replied that she had planned on buying herself a nice luxury vehicle but instead, she was driving a wheelchair-accessible minivan. This was followed by many laughing emojis.

At dinner, we sat and laughed and cried and laughed some more through a delightful three hours, trying to cram fifteen years of living into our conversation. Her sincere Christian witness, her love for the Lord, her trust in His plans was deeply moving. She even beamed as she told me the story of how the Lord had provided the ugly but necessary minivan. Through the whole dinner, I kept thinking, This is a woman who knows how to reach for Jesus. And keep reaching.

Twelve long years, the unnamed woman in our Gospel reading bled (see Matthew 9:20). Twelve long years she sought treatment, spending everything she had to no avail. Still, she reached out for the Lord. She reached for Jesus and was met with His healing power. I saw that so clearly in my friend. Despite all she had suffered and lost, she continued to reach for Jesus, and He was so willing and able to fill her up to the brim with trust in Him and sincere joy.

This being human, living among other broken humans, living in a broken world—it’s not easy. But if we keep reaching for the Lord, He will unleash grace upon grace, and occasionally, an ugly minivan.  

Relate to the Lord // Where do you need to reach out for Jesus—again or for the first time?