Hello Friends of St. Francis,
Who are your neighbors? Friends?
Would you carry a paralyzed neighbor to the Lord?
When you are paralyzed can you still name four people who might carry you to the Lord?
Ash Wednesday is this week. During this Lenten Season at St. Francis we will learn more about our Neighbors in Need and how we can help our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty stricken elderly, by participating in our Neighbors in Need Sack and Activities Calendar. Join us. Our direct service partnership is with Washtenaw Catholic Social Services.
Enjoy the following reading and reflection.
Scott
A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Mark 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind
what they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
-he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
REFLECTION:
Today, we are invited to glorify God by trying something brand new, certainly something that requires us to move outside of the ordinary comfort level we have become accustomed to. "Thus says the LORD ... see, I am doing something new!" (Isaiah 43:18-25)
Love implores us to rejoice. "Rise, pick up your mat and walk." (Mark 2:1-12) It's irrational, uncomfortable, freeing, novel, and yet also the most constructive use of our energy. "Your sins are forgiven." Move on!!! Live a little!!
We have heard many times that "God is faithful." (2 Cor 1:18-22) And, then many times in sin we begin to feel like a paralytic, we grew weary of the so-called "faithful" routines, and uninspiring obligations or expectations which we felt were like burdens placed upon us. At a time like this we can ask: "Where is God?" "Where is St. Francis?" "Where are my friends?" "Who are my neighbors?"
Fortunately, our faith community offers us opportunities to be carried by a small group of friends, to arise from "the crowd" and to get near Jesus. In the day of misfortune the LORD will deliver the lowly and the poor . (Psalm 41:2-14) Together with the Lord we are astounded, "We have never seen anything like this." (Mark 2:1-12)
Every year we again journey through the Lenten Season (spring training in preparation for Easter Time Resurrection joy). We may recall some years when our Lenten practices, of alms giving, fasting, and prayer, by the grace of God, actually enriched our lives more than in other years. I invite you, because the Lord invites us, to make this Lent one of those most significant years which really will change our life for the better... that we may enjoy the special grace for years to come along with our family and neighbors.
"Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you." Renew the joy in my soul which you intended to be there from the beginning of creation.
Who are my neighbors? Friends?
Would I carry a paralyzed neighbor to the Lord?
When I am paralyzed can I still name four people who might carry me to the Lord?
Read More about our, St. Francis, 2012, Lenten Season Neighbors in Need Sack and how we can help our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty stricken elderly.
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