Reflection for THURSDAY, 13th Week, Ordinary Time.

Today's Word

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Mathew 9 : 6

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”


Today's Reflection

If there is one thing more painful than one's own suffering, it is seeing the suffering of a loved one.

We would rather suffer for our beloved and we may even offer our lives in place of theirs.

If there is one story in the Bible that we can't quite understand, it is the story of how God wanted Abraham to sacrifice his only son.

There are many explanations for that, like obedience and faith, but still if we didn't know how the story would end, we would be seriously questioning God's demands.

As for Abraham, it seemed that he was so stoic and emotionless about it. He didn't protest, and he did exactly what he was told.

But we can imagine his pain, and he would rather die instead of sacrificing his only son.

Abraham is called "the father of faith" and he certainly deserved to be called so.

It was his faith in his most painful moment that saw him through, and he received abundant blessings from God.

Jesus also saw the faith of the paralytic and his friends, and He granted them a miracle.

Are we sick and paralysed today?


Maybe our family and community lives are paralysed by attitudes of indifference, uncaring attitude, arguments and financial difficulties

Maybe our personal lives are paralysed by uncertainties, lack of hope and shortage of inspiration and motivation

Maybe our societal lives are paralysed by rejection from others, misunderstandings and unhealthy experiences of corruption and injustice.


We need the healing touch of the Lord… We need an empowerment


This healing has to primarily begin from the spiritual dimension

This empowerment needs to start first from the spiritual perspective


When we go to the Lord in humility, we will be touched from within

… a spiritual cleansing happens and a spiritual empowerment is kindled!

The Lord came into the world, primarily as a Saviour…

… to save us!


And He intends that all of us seek Him with this prime motive above all…

… spiritual graces above material blessings

… growth in holiness over prosperity of earthly riches


One of the most important means that the Lord provides this opportunity to receive His Mercy and Healing is the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

Just as Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health…

… so too Jesus wants the Church, through the Holy Spirit, to continue his work of healing and salvation especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation


The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Sacrament of Healing!


We need to examine ourselves…


Has examination of conscience become part of our daily Christian lifestyle?


Do I frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often and thus receive forgiveness of sins and strength for our spiritual life?


Do I make sufficient preparation for the Sacrament, and also seek to hold on to the promises and resolutions made at the Confessional?


Every Confession is to become a life-changing experience!


Confession is not a license to do more sins

Confession is not a permit to living in sin, thinking that “God will anyway forgive!”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a great privilege…

… It is also a Sacred Duty and places a moral obligation to seek to grow in holiness!

Of course the of the pandemic, with its restrictions, has kept many of us away from the Sacrament. However, lets, call on the Mercy of the Lord, everyday…

… and thus to receive healing from Him!

Yes, let us realise…

… that it is only the humble who can be admitted to the Presence of the Lord!


As we stand at the half-yearly marks of this Year 2021, let us thank the Lord for all His protective blessings…

… and as we enter the second half – with the month of July – lower ourselves, in total dependence on the Lord!


May we knock at the “Door of the Lord’s presence”, acknowledging in humility, that “we are mortals and sinners”…


seeking to be healed of all the “paralysis” in our life…


And thus, hear the Saviour Lord telling us:

“Take heart, my child, your sins are forgiven!

Rise, take up your stretcher and go home!”


Resolution

Let us resolve to remember the faith of Abraham and the paralytic in our most painful moments and keep faith in God. We will receive blessings and see miracles.

GOD BLESS YOU 

Good morning. Have a nice safe day.

A new month ...a new beginning. Be Blessed.