The two miracles in today's Gospel reading show Jesus as the giver of health and life. They also emphasize the 'saving faith' of the woman and the ruler who personally encounter the healing power of Jesus.

For the woman, the healing took place at the moment when Jesus said to her "your faith has made you well". Because of her faith Jesus brought healing and salvation within her reach and experience.

For the ruler's daughter who was dead, Jesus went into the house and raised her to life. Jesus conquered death because He is the author of life. The Greek word for 'arose' is also the word consistently used of Jesus' own resurrection from the dead. So the miracle of the raising of the ruler's daughter points to Jesus' own resurrection.

Jesus' resurrection is our hope and keeps reassuring us of His presence in our midst today. As in Hosea's description (first reading) we are reassured of God's faithfulness to us. How should we respond to this unconditional and faithful love of God to us?