Monday 14th week in ordinary time
"Mt 9:18-26"
While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, “Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.
They laughed at Jesus; they actually laughed! They thought they knew better than anyone else. They 'thought' they knew better. But thank God, they were wrong. We can imagine their jaws dropping when Jesus led the girl out by the hand, alive and well. It's not unusual that they laughed at Jesus. As with the saints, if you are His disciple you should expect some to laugh at you. But you know the saying: 'He who laughs last, laughs best'. They will laugh at us, but we will keep laughing for all eternity.
There was at university a group of bullies who used to make fun of a good Christian in their class, named Bill. They would make sarcastic comments about him: that he was a 'sacristan' or 'seminarian in disguise', and comments of that sort. Bill never answered back; he always smiled and never lost his cool. They were 'good' people but without respect for God or religion. As Bill was coming into class one day, one of the bullies said in a loud voice, "We've got a party on Friday, you know: girls, alcohol..." then he turned to the other students and added, "but of course, you CAN'T come! It is a sin... isn't it?" The whole class had their eyes fixed on Bill to see his reaction. After an awkward moment of silence, he answered, "I won't be able to join you... not because it's a sin, but because I'm planning to go to an old people's home with some friends to cheer up a few of the elderly who are lonely." Then, turning to the rest of the spectators, added, "Everyone's welcome if you want to join us!"
The party was a flop. More than twenty mates helped Bill to organise a better 'party' for the elderly that Friday. There was such laughter there that some elderly people even lost their false teeth! Holy Mary, Cause of our Joy, may we never be concerned about the laughter of those who don't understand us; may it never prevent us from being true to your Son and laughing ourselves, with real joy.
