GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 5TH DECEMBER 2016
MONDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT
1ST READING: Isaiah 35:1-10
PSALM: Psalm 85:9-14
GOSPEL: Luke 5:17-26
THEME: HE RAISED ME UP
At different moments in our life’s journey, we experience a fall. Some of these falls are not grave and one can easily get up by oneself. However, there are some falls, either physical or spiritual, that necessitates the help of another to rise up again.
The scene in today’s Gospel text of a paralytic being carried by some men reminds us of our vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of some conditions of our earthly existence. Like the paralyzed man, there are moments in life when we find ourselves helpless. In such moments, we would often have friends and relatives making proposals and suggestions to us about how and where to find help. Unfortunately, some of these proposals compound the problem and in the end our conditions become worse. The men who carried the paralytic to Jesus point to us where we should go when life’s challenges knock us down.
The biggest knockout one can ever get is the one caused by sin. It damages the soul and leaves one in a pitiable state. A person crushed by sin can only be brought back to life by God. This would explain why the scribes and Pharisees remarked, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Lk. 5:21).
By raising up this paralytic, Jesus reveals to us that he is able to bring back light into our lives when sin has caused a blackout.
Advent is a season when every spiritually paralyzed person is encouraged to look to Jesus for salvation. Instead of condemning friends and loved ones who have been knocked off their feet by spiritual paralysis, we may consider coming to their aid and leading them to Jesus.
Advent is a season of hope and we are called upon to echo the prophetic words of Isaiah to all who are struggling – “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God” (Isa 35:3-4).
There is hope for everyone who is down. Jesus wants to raise you up.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you raised me up and made me walk again. Thank you for the gift of salvation. 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).