The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 5, 2005
Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
Luke 5:17-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Astonishment, Awe, Incredible Things!
“Your Sins are Forgiven, Rise and Walk!”

A man was paralyzed. So, friends went up and lowered him in front of Jesus, who saw their faith. Jesus said to the man, "As for you, your sins are forgiven." Jesus then read the hearts of the scribes and the Pharisees and spoke: "Which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven or Rise and walk?"

The paralyzed man stood, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Scripture says that astonishment seized them all and they glorified God; and struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

The joy of being forgiven by the One Who has authority on earth to forgive sins, raises a person ‘paralyzed’ by sin, to stand anew to the glory of God.

Sin paralyzes the very ability of one to “walk” with grace to the Glory of God. In reply to Jesus’ question, “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven” or “Rise and walk.”?, the first is more joyous, yet the second is also true. The one paralyzed by sin and forgiven is indeed risen to a new life that glorifies God.

Let us go up to the Son of Man and be lowered in front of Him with the greatest faith and hear with awestruck joy, the authoritative Redeemer’s Word, “Your sins are forgiven." May we exclaim in this good news: “We have seen incredible things today” as we walk in a new life that glorifies God!

Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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