Readings: Amos 7:10-17, Ps. 19:8-11, Matthew 9:1-8
“When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” (Matthew 9:8)
After showing Thomas his hands and his side, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:29). Today’s readings present examples of believers and non-believers. While believers usually attract what they expect, non-believers short-change themselves; their lack of faith acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Let us consider some lessons contained in today’s readings.
Inspired by their faith, some people brought a paralysed man to Jesus. Matthew reports that Jesus ‘saw’ their faith. This means God can see how much or how little faith we have. From our actions, God knows whether we believe (expect miracles) or whether we don’t. A certain village experienced drought for some years. The elders agreed to meet on a certain day to pray for rain. As they were about to begin the prayer, they looked at each other’s faces and noticed a small child who had come with an umbrella. They were about to scold the child for bringing an umbrella, before it dawned on them that that was the very reason for their gathering. When you pray, do you prepare for the outcome of your prayers?
Upon seeing the paralytic, Jesus said, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Why did Jesus absolve him of his sins first? Can we say the paralytic’s condition was a punishment for his sins? Perhaps he needed forgiveness before he could be free of his physical condition. Or was Jesus only trying to prove to those present that He had the power to forgive sins? Whatever the case, the message in this statement is that healing begins with reconciliation with God. Repent, allow God to take possession of your heart, and you will feel His power in your body.
While the friends of the paralytic made their faith visible, the scribes at that gathering felt that Jesus was blaspheming. For them, Jesus was a man trying to make himself equal to God. These scribes dared not voice their thoughts, but Jesus could hear them. We may pretend about our faith, but we cannot fool God; He knows when our presence in the Church is a formality.
Since these scribes did not believe in Jesus, what were they doing there? Not everyone who comes to Church intends to worship God. Like these scribes, many come to find what they can use against us. Many come to cause disaffection, spread false rumours and ultimately destroy God’s work. This is why Jesus said that on the last day, many would come saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us; we did this and that in your name, and He would say, ‘I do not know you.’” (Cf. Luke 13:25-27).
If these scribes were doubting Jesus, the fact that He could tell the contents of their minds should have been enough proof of His divinity. Jesus asked the scribes a simple question which we must address to ourselves, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Why do I prefer accommodating negative thoughts in my head? Why do I assume that God cannot (or is not interested in) solving my problems? Why do I feel that my situation can only get worse? To underestimate God or to belittle God’s power is to think evil in your heart. Do not be a pessimistic Christian. God is all-powerful and all-loving even when you don’t feel it. He has not stopped being God.
Another dimension of thinking evil in our hearts is refusal to admit the truth because we are beneficiaries of those in power. In the time of Amos, there was a man named Amaziah who claimed to be a priest, but because he fed at the king’s table, he lacked the courage to speak the truth to power. Instead of facing the truth, he turned to attack Amos. Amaziah asked Amos to “go and earn bread” somewhere else, forgetting that life is not all about “earning bread.”
Like the scribes who followed Jesus, hoping to pull Him down, Amaziah knew the truth but preferred darkness; he had sold his soul in exchange for material comfort. Dear friends, do not think evil in your heart. Believe in God and say the truth. Trust more in God’s protection than in the futile security of material comfort.
Let us pray: O God, who through the grace of adoption chose us to be children of light, grant, we pray, that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error but always be seen to stand in the bright light of truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 13 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Amos 7:10-17, Ps. 19:8-11, Matthew 9:1-8)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu