Read Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 116 and Matthew 9:1-8
“When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2)
Abraham went to the extent of tying Isaac on the pile of wood because he believed that God was capable of giving him more sons. Four men opened the roof of the house where Jesus was to bring in their paralytic friend because they believed that an audience with Jesus was all he needed to be healed. The question is: “What do your actions say about your faith?”
Some lessons in today’s readings include One, God sometimes puts us to the test. Abraham was tested, Job was tested, by asking his disciples to cross the sea at night, Jesus tested their faith. Jesus himself suffered temptation (testing) in the wilderness at the beginning of His public ministry. He suffered the same again at the Garden of Gethsemane. Tough times come to good people. They are moments of testing, moments we catch ourselves asking: “God, why me?”
As St. Paul says: “We rejoice in our sufferings (testing, temptations, etc.), knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3-5) Going through a tough time? Remain steadfast. Don’t give in to sin. Don’t give up on God.
Two, God rewards our faithfulness. Just as God provided for Abraham a ram for the sacrifice, God has a way of providing for us when we least expect. As long as you do not give up on God, He would make a way where there seems to be no way.
Three, we can never hide anything from God. Even the thoughts in your heart are very loud in the ears of God. Jesus told us that if our faith is as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains.
Four, physical healing builds on spiritual healing (forgiveness of sins, repentance; reconciliation with God). Jesus could see that the paralytic needed healing but He began by saying: “Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.” When last did you go for confession?
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from faithlessness and sinfulness. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 13 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 116 and Matthew 9:1-8).