June 7, 2026
Matthew 9:9–13, 18–26
Theme: Being seen and called
Think about the last time you walked into a room. Who did you notice first-the confident ones, the loud ones, the familiar ones? Today’s Gospel shows us that Jesus notices the people everyone else overlooks: a tax collector, a bleeding woman, a grieving father, a lifeless child. Jesus sees what others miss and the good news is that He sees us the same way. Because we are all beloved. Created in God’s image and likeness.
In today’s Gospel, we meet Jesus in different moments. He is calling Matthew the tax collector, and responding to a desperate father whose daughter has died, He is healing a woman with hemorrhage. These stories reveal that God sees us, calls us, and restores us even when others have written us off.
When Jesus walks by Matthew’s tax booth, He sees more than a man with a bad reputation. He sees a disciple. He sees possibility and potential. He sees a heart ready to be transformed. And with one simple invitation He says, “Follow me” v.9 Matthew rises and leaves behind the past life that his community knows.
Matthew’s narrative teaches us that Jesus sees us not as we have been, but as we can become.
He sees beyond our failures, our labels, our past, and even our own self‑doubt. He sees the image of God in us even when we struggle to see it ourselves.
And then Jesus goes to dinner with Matthew and his friends – the people society avoided. The religious leaders are scandalized. They asked, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” v.11. Jesus answers, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” v.12-13.
Here Jesus teaches us that rules and holiness in christian living matters. But mercy is what He desires most. God’s mercy is what makes discipleship possible.
And then, shortly, the Gospel shifts. A synagogue leader rushes in, desperate and broken: “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” v.18.
Jesus rises immediately. He does not hesitate. He does not question the man’s theology. He does not test his worthiness. He simply goes.
On the way, a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years reaches out and touches the hem of His garment. She is isolated, and invisible according the culture of the day. But Jesus turns, sees her, and says, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well” v.22.
My dear friends Jesus responds to the faith we barely have the strength to express.
Sometimes our faith is bold like the father’s. Sometimes it is fragile like the woman’s. But Jesus honors both.
Finally, Jesus arrives at the house where mourners have already begun their ritual. They laugh at Him when He says the girl is not dead but sleeping. But Jesus takes her by the hand and life returns.
This is an assurance that Jesus restores what seems beyond hope.
Matthew’s narrative teaches us that where others see finality, Jesus sees possibility. Where others see death, Jesus sees life waiting to rise.
The Gospel of Matthew this morning is assuring us that no one is beyond God’s call, not Matthew, not the woman, not the child, not us.
Matthew also reminds us that mercy is the language of God, and therefore the language of the Church. We are called to practice mercy, empathy and compassion.
And it means that God is still in the business of raising what has fallen, healing what is broken, and restoring what seems lost.
Our baptismal covenant gives us God’s mercy, courage, and hope. With an assurance we get from the song. Jesus loves me this I know.