GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 28TH MARCH 2017
TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
FIRST READING: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12
PSALM: Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
GOSPEL: John 5:1-16
THEME: DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?
At any given time, there are people at the hospital. Churches and prayer centres have people trooping in, seeking to be made whole. During this period of Lent, we see people queuing for spiritual healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In almost every family, there is someone who is ill, be it physical, spiritual or psychological. The search for healing is a relentless one. However, it is not every sick person who wants to be healed. For some, their illness is their livelihood. For example, in the wake of unemployment, some use their “ill-health” to their advantage and employ themselves as professional beggars. To take away their “illness” is to take away their jobs. There are some too who see their illness as an opened door to escape from the challenges of life on earth – they would refuse to take any medicine and rather court death. It is not every spiritually sick person who wants to be healed. Some take so much pleasure in one or the other sin that they are unwilling to let go of it and be healed.
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus asks a physically paralysed man, “Do you want to be healed?” (Jn 5:6). In his response, the paralytic expresses his desire to be made whole, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me” (Jn 5:7). Jesus then tells him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk” (Jn 5:8). He stood up and started walking.
The question that Jesus put to the paralytic is one that each one of us ought to reflect upon prayerfully – “Do I want to be healed?” Jesus provides grace but like the paralytic I must take a step of faith – stand up and walk. The “standing” and “walking” are the efforts I need to contribute in the whole process of healing.
The grace of the Lord which brings wholeness can be likened to a river. In the visionary experience of Ezekiel, in our First Reading, the prophet recounts that “Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes” (Ezek 47:9).
The grace of God is being offered in abundance during this season of Lent. Healing is taking place. Yes, physical, spiritual and psychological healing are happening right now. As we wholeheartedly accept this grace, we too can be made whole and experience transformation in our lives. We tap into this grace through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and reconciliation. As grace renews us, our lives would never be the same.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, pour abundantly on me your grace of healing. Heal me of every kind of paralysis in my life and make me walk again. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).