Reflection for THURSDAY, 13th in Ordinary Time.

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Assistant Parish Priest,Manjeshwar,Kasargod

 Reflective Reading of the Word of God


 Matthew 9:1-8 

'Your sins are forgiven; get up and walk'

Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.

 Reflection on the Readings

One of the vows or promises that a priest or religious takes at ordination or at the solemn profession is the promise or vow of obedience.

And more than celibacy and poverty, the vow or promise of obedience is the foundation of the person's relationship with God.

So a person can meditate for hours and live a life of austerity and asceticism, but if he does not submit to the directions of his superiors, then all he does is in vain.

Similarly for Abraham in the 1st reading. More than a test of his faith in God, it was also a test of his freedom and decision to choose to obey God or not.

In his obedience to God, he also made this statement of faith - God will provide.

Indeed, God will provide whatever is necessary as long as we are willing to obey Him.

So whenever we find it difficult to obey and do God's will, let us remember that God will provide us the necessary graces to heal us and strengthen us to accept His will.

Abraham obeyed God and received His blessings. May we too be obedient to God and do His will and also receive God's blessings.


 GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day.

Happy feast of St Maria Goretti.