Invalid?

Today’s Gospel Text:  After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Beth-za'tha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. 5 One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." 11 But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.'" 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the sabbath. John 5:1-16

Reflection: There was a story told by a religious, of a man who had once gone to a retreat centre and he came back testifying everywhere and to everyone that he was healed of his illness. 

 The reason for the man’s confidence was the absence of the symptoms which accompanied his debilitating condition.

A few months later, the man could no longer testify about this healing, as the sickness had returned.

This was reason enough for the critics to condemn such indiscriminate testimonies which lay claim to healing, when they felt there was no such healing in the first place.

The critics felt that it was never a healing in the first place but may have been a placebo effect on the mind or some sort of amelioration at the psychological level.

What may have happened, in this particular case and which the critics may have never bothered to find out or may have overlooked is this: The concerned person may have actually got the healing but on account of his slip and falling away into sin the sickness may have returned.

But the many critics who passed a judgment against him also did so against the retreat centre and its works.  In other words they considered all the healings as humbug!

In the gospel we could have a similar situation, if not for the warning of Jesus to the man who was an invalid for thirty-eight years:

"See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befalls you." (vs. 14)

One of the sin that the invalid needed to avoid in his life was not to fail in testifying to what Jesus had done to him. He would thus assert the truth of his new found faith in a God who works in creation; a God who even goes against his own law in order to heal a person.

God heals even in our day if only we believe in his merciful love and put our trust and confidence in him.

Prayer: O Lord of the Sabbath and all that you have created heal the many fears in my heart that I may proclaim you fearlessly. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Attitude Required

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja'irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well." 29 And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:21-43

Reflection: O yea! How we love to see wonderful and magical happenings and we may go out of our way to see such phenomenons and yet there could a better one in our own neighborhood which we may never observe or miss out on. 

The dramatic appearance of Jairus and his falling at Jesus’ feet and beseeching him to come and heal his daughter may have drawn the attention of the many that were there and this may have attracted a great crowd to follow Jesus to the house of Jairus to see another of the miracle performed by Jesus.

But in the meanwhile, while Jesus was on his way, there was another more marvelous miracle, concerning an ordinary lady, about to take place. This woman appears to have been unassumingly simple and ordinary. 

The crowd almost missed it and we too could miss out on the great beauty of this miracle. 

There are many factors which makes this miracle a marvel:

She had gone to many physicians and was treated by many, and what is more, she had spent all her life savings in getting herself treated.  There was no question of losing hope as she had not lost her grits.

Modern medical science would immediately discern that she must have been anemic and weak. She may have been at her daily work with great determination despite the many aches and pains due to lack of quality blood in her system.

Such faith is not possible unless it is received in faith from above. Did she pray for the many years and now, more so, since her coffers were empty?  She seems to have shown a rock solid faith and trust in God; the only hope for this woman?

If there is anything we can learn from this woman then it is this: do not wait for sickness to trust God and do not seek to see the signs and wonders but be practical and active in believing in the one who is able to save us.

Rest is history as she touches the hem of his garment!

Prayer:  Lord, increase our faith that we may trust you in all situations and circumstances.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Grace of Baptism

Today’s Gospel Text: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:39-45

Reflection: How did Elizabeth come to know that that Mary along with the child in her womb was special and blessed?

From this incidence in Scripture we learn that Elizabeth's source of knowledge was a divine one, rather a divine infusion of knowledge merely by hearing the voice of Mary’s greeting.

Simultaneously another miracle that took place was this; the healing of the child in Elizabeth’s womb and that is why we have another instance of one born sinless besides Jesus and Mary who were even conceived without original sin.

In a way, what we see happening in Elizabeth and John the Baptist are the graces of baptism, at work in them.

When one is baptized in the grace of the Holy Spirit one begins to recognize the divine presence in their midst and God's hand at work in the many things of creation.  

When Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit, she began to exclaim in a loud voice recognizing this presence of God in her midst. Further, she acknowledges Mary to be blessed too and bursts forth in praise of the Mother of the Lord of all ages. 

It is a grace of humility, which acknowledges the presence of God in Mary’s womb and the blessedness of her state, irrespective of her age, experience or position as legitimate wife of a priest.

This grace brings about a great healing; the fruit of our reconciliation with God - An action accomplished by non other than Christ the reconciler.  This healing in the inner spirit brings joy, happiness and peace to the one who receive it and a great sense of wisdom and maturity. 

The child in the womb of Elizabeth shows all these qualities of health, joy, happiness and peace and what is more he now knows in whose presence he must leap with joy.

This is the grace that needs to be working in each one of us; if not then we need to ask God to renew in us the grace of Baptism, in order that we may become effective instruments of his grace.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, the giver of all life, help us to be totally reconciled to you and receive from your presence the graces to be your instrument to others.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Blame Game

Today’s Gospel Text:  On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the man who was paralyzed - "I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home." 25 And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today." Luke 5:17-26

Reflection: Many a times we literally live as individuals and only think of satisfying and indulging ourselves in  all kinds of pleasures.

Before we go further in this reflection, we need to caution ourselves while judging those who are cut off from others, as individuals on account of their dedication to God.

In fact putting it the other way could be more apt and true: those who are constantly in the company of many or are working in groups can be more individualistic in their ways and part of their individualism and selfishness is manifested in seeking the company of others to fill in the vacuum of loneliness and driving weaknesses in their own lives.

It depends on many factors why we seek the company of others, but broadly speaking there are two factors; it could be to satisfy our selfish needs or to serve the needs of others?

The gospel text through the healing of the paralytic shows us that we are all related to each other and our actions too have a relative force on one another.

So whatever sin we commit, even if it is a sin against our body or whatever good we do, even in privation, it has some effect or the other on others.

As Christians it would be most foolish thing to go about blaming others for ones poor state of affairs and point to others as the reason for one's current state of unrest.

Though this connectivity of the human race is a reality of life, God in Christ Jesus also came to resolve this issue once and for all.

The righteous man, Jesus Christ bore it all in his crucified body and thus became the savior and liberator for all who come to him and believe in this great work of God. He is the one who can set all evil right because he has paid the price.

What is more, no matter what evil people may indulge in it is not for us to pass a judgment and condemn, but God desires that we be his instrument like these four men in the Gospel. They brought healing and solace, to the extent of forgiveness of the sins of the other.

Prayer: Lord Jesus you are our savior and God, help me to put my complete trust and confidence in your saving action. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Baptismal Grace

Today’s Gospel Text: Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. 33 And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; 34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak." Mark 7:31-37

Reflection: The Catholic Church draws greatly from this healing action of Jesus in the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism. 

There is a special prayer after the conferring of baptism, as part of the rite, which is captioned as “Ephphetha or Prayer over Ears and Mouth”

In this rite, the celebrant is supposed to touch the ears and mouth of the child and utter this prayer: “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”  All: Amen.

Let us look at this action of baptism in the light of Jesus’ action in the gospel.

Jesus taking the man aside from the crowd is an action synonymous with the action of baptism, which is the setting aside of the person from among the crowd to be in the service of God.

That’s how we have the term Holy people, which all Christians are so, by virtue of their baptism, as scripture aptly describes it; "Once you were no people but now you are God's people" 1 Peter 2:10

Jesus by applying the spittle mixed with mud gives something of himself as with every sacrament. For apart from him no sacramental grace can exist because only in him was life and he alone can give life to us and he does it beautifully through the Sacraments, which he has instituted.

So in the Eucharist he offers us his Body and blood the driving force for every sacrament, hence most of the sacrament begin and end with the Eucharist; the source and summit of Christian life

We see the grace of the sacrament immediately at work in the person, who after having experienced it then begins to zealously proclaim Christ, by way of witness; speaking about him to the astonishment of the crowd.

Maybe many of us have received this sacramental grace of Baptism as infants and it is time for us to revive this grace by fervently asking the Lord to renew in us the grace of baptism.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, touch our ears to receive your word, and our mouth to proclaim your faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father. Amen.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us