So, in the tradition of teachers in my family (and the fact that it’s a Friday), I have a pop quiz for you. What word would you use to describe the gospel readings from Tuesday till today?
If you answered “healing,” then we’d be on the same wavelength. It’s been said that if you want to make a point, you need to use ample evidence, and if you want it to be remembered, then you need to have repetition.
I believe God has made his point. Over these past four days, Jesus has healed the man with the unclean spirit, healed Simon’s mother-in-law who was bedbound with illness and fever, healed the man with leprosy, and today, forgiven and healed the man who was paralyzed whose friends brought him through the roof to Jesus.
Sometimes we need to be hit with strong evidence of Jesus’ authority derived from his identity as the Son of God. And that’s what we started with on Monday, at the Baptism of the Lord, with God the Father declaring, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”
And, based on the first reading from St. Paul to Hebrews and the Psalm, despite God’s attempts, we human beings need God’s further help to remember His healing and saving power.
St. Paul reminds his initial listeners and us today “…that we have received the Good News, just as our ancestors did.”
And we’ve just proclaimed the Psalmist’s admonition: “Do not forget the works of the Lord!”
St. Paul rightly points out that we have a choice with what we do with the Good News, the saving Word of God. Either we can listen and let the Word of God inspire us to live in accord with God (united in faith with those who have done so before us,) or we can live in a way disconnected from God’s teaching and lose what is promised, that we enter into His rest.
For me, it begins with paying attention. As Father Boby said yesterday, going to a quiet place where we can reflect on the Word of God and what’s going on in our lives. I love Father Boby’s imagery of going to a quiet place and meeting Jesus. I can imagine walking into a church or room in my home or Confessional and seeing Him seated, in the pew or chair, welcoming me and asking how He can help … what’s on my mind … what He can do to help me, or a loved one.
I can also imagine Him reassuring us that everything will work out, even when all seems lost or just too much to handle, if we stay close to Him and let Him and His Church nourish and lead us to His Father’s House one day.
My brothers and sisters, Jesus has given us a reason to believe; let’s take a few minutes today to recall some works of healing that He has done for us and our loved ones. Pray that our faith and hope in Him may be strong; strong enough not just for us but also for those who need to hear this Good News of Jesus’ healing power!
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