Friday.blog
Catholic Calendar for Friday, January 14, 2005
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 4:1-5,11
Psalm 78:3-4,6-8
Mark 2:1-12
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
"Child, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5)
Jesus healed the whole person. He never granted a healing without reference to wholeness. Often it was "Go, your sins are forgiven."
For Jesus, then and now, it isn't physical disability that makes one unfit for service in the Kingdom. It is sin. Sin is a crippler far greater than not being able to walk or to see. These things cripple in this world. Sin cripples for all eternity. Sin keeps us out of the kingdom of Heaven. Sin proclaims our independence from our Sovereign Lord and God.
But we are not independent, and sometimes circumstances converge to make that clear to us. When this happens, we need to take action. We need to take the roof off the house and be lowered down to Jesus for his healing touch. Isn't it nice that the Church has made this feasible and even approachable through the sacrament of penance. We go and say, "Lord Jesus, heal me." And we emerge, perhaps not physically better off, but certainly better suited for eternity.
Jesus will heal us where we do not know we are wounded. In his wounds is our salvation and our hope. He was broken that we might be made whole--so take advantage of it now while it is still possible. And give glory to the God who makes such provision for us!
- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)
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