Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time(Click here for readings)
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus...they opened up the roof above him.
When Jesus saw their faith. Unable to get near Jesus, they opened up the roof! Here's a group of men with no human respect; that is, they could care less what anybody thought.
Are you always worried about what others may think of you? Don't be. Smash through this terrible barrier and make your life worth living. Start living your life. Make it very simple and exciting. The first thing is to not "Just do it!" but to do it right. Do what is right, good and holy!
He was carried by four men. Through the grace of God, and four very good friends, this poor sick man broke through some very tough barriers. The first being his fear. The second being the crowd. The third being the roof!
Carried by faith. Throughout our lives we will have to learn how to navigate through tough times and very negative people. Our faith in the Lord will help us every step of the way. And He will notice it: "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, "Child, your sins are forgiven."
Perseverance is a fruit of faith. The more faith you have, the more you will persevere.
Carried by hope. If faith is the virtue that allows us to see more than eye can see, then hope is the virtue that takes us beyond the moment. Not only did this poor man believe he would be saved, he could also envision being healed. He just needed a little bit of help. Hope is our help. It keeps us going. It is a healthy reminder of what eyes have seen and ears have heard. "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
Carried by love. When all else fails, put on love. Love conquers all things, endures all things...Love never fails (cf. 1Cor 13:7). Perseverance is not only a visible sign of unwavering faith and hope, but also of unending love. Love can do incredible things. It can carry a sick man to the Lord and bring him to His feet. It can work its way through the crowd and move people to move. Yes, Love can open a hole in the roof and lower a man to the ground. Love can move mountains!
It is Love that can heal a broken man with a broken heart.
Carried by courage. Nothing good will ever happen or change without courage. There can be no faith without courage; no hope without courage; no love without courage. There can be no humility without courage; no sacrifice without courage; no forgiving without courage.
So much of our life is bottled up in fear. So many of our strongest and most admirable desires are contained in fear. Courage is required in order to shatter our fears and live our lives in the image and likeness of God. Fear of doing what is right, good and holy is a result of original sin. It works against the progress of man. It works against our relationship with God. It prevents us from becoming neighbors. It hinders us from a world that is full of wonder.
"He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. they were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
It's time to break a hole in our fears and let the Son in.
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