THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday in the Second Week of Advent, 2022

Isa 35:1-10

Ps 85

Luke 5:17-26

Rise, pick up your stretcher

In the gospel reading (Lk 5:17-26), we have a very good image of faith in action. The friends of the paralyzed man were so intent on getting their friend to Jesus that they went to the extreme of creating an opening in the roof of the house where Jesus was and letting their friend down in front of Jesus. They clearly would stop at nothing to place their paralyzed friend before Jesus.

The gospel reading states, ‘Seeing their faith Jesus said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you. It was not so much the faith of the paralyzed man that caught Jesus’ attention as the faith of his friends. The man was carried to Jesus by the faith of his friends. There is an image there of what all of us are called to be for each other within the church. We are called to carry each other by our faith. Our faith in action carries others. Sometimes we need the faith of others to carry us when our faith seems weak. Paul says in his letter to the Romans that the life and death of each one of us influence others. He would also have said that the faith of each one of us has its influence for good on others.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to the body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life. Amen.

+Remain blessed