Daily Reflections - July 4,2013

TRUE FRIENDS

 

How would you like to have friends like the men in today’s Gospel? They will do anything to bring their sick friend to Jesus. Even the crowds do not dissuade them. Rather, they climb the roof in order to lower the paralytic down in front of Jesus. And the paralytic was at the mercy of his friends and of Jesus.

       I like to imagine the scene. Jesus is in the room preaching, the crowds overflowing. During the course of His teaching, one could imagine the commotion above. The roof is torn apart in order to make way for a sick person, through the efforts of his friends. See the friends’ faith in Jesus and the love for their friend. Jesus’ response is worthy of note. Jesus sees their faith — the faith of the friends, not the faith of the paralytic. The paralytic cannot do or say anything. Jesus is delighted with the care and concern the people show for their friend. Jesus speaks straight to the depth of man: “Your sins are forgiven.” Since sickness in that culture was a sign of sinfulness, and God alone could forgive sins, we have the reaction of the scribes.  Not only is the man made well in spirit; in his body, too, he receives fullness of health and recovery, seemingly due to the intercession of his friends. We need friends like them, and we need to be that kind of a friend to one another — friends who care for one another in times of need, no matter what the cost. They were seemingly unconcerned about ripping the roof apart; they would deal with that later! Their primary concern was to get the friends to Jesus.

       Are we this passionate? Are we willing to bring our friend to Jesus? The man not only left his mat and went home. He was able to embrace his new life, reunited with family. He was freed from his paralysis, both physically and spiritually. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you bring your friends to Jesus? How do you do this?

 

Lord, You call me friend and I am called to be a friend to others. Help me to show care and concern to my neighbor, the one most in need. Amen.