"When we pray we speak to God but when we read he speaks to us."
--St. Jerome
"When we pray we speak to God but when we read he speaks to us."
--St. Jerome
January 15, 2021
Friday of the First
Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 309
Let us be on our guard
while the promise of entering into his rest remains,
that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.
But the word that they heard did not profit them,
for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into that rest,
just as he has said:
As I swore in my wrath,
“They shall not enter into my rest,”
and yet his works were accomplished
at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
and again, in the previously mentioned place,
They shall not enter into my rest.
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,
so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
Responsorial Psalm 78:3 and 4bc, 6c-7, 8
R.
(see 7b) Do not forget the works
of the Lord!
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
That they too may rise and declare to their sons
that they should put their hope in God,
And not forget the deeds of God
but keep his commands.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
And not be like their fathers,
a generation wayward and rebellious,
A generation that kept not its heart steadfast
nor its spirit faithful toward God.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has
arisen in our midst
and God has visited
his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 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 him,
“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.”
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Who's Lifting Your Mat?
Are you weary? In need of a good rest? Today's first reading speaks of the "rest in peace" that we'll enter into after we pass from this earth, IF we are obedient to God's Word and have faith in his promises -- the promises that Jesus fulfilled in his death and resurrection.
However, there's much more for us in these verses if we remember that scripture is never meant to be a carrot dangled just beyond the reach of our present life. (For those who don't like carrots, think of chocolate chip cookies.) God cares about us too much to make us drool over promises that we cannot receive a taste of here and now.
Entering into God's rest does not require waiting; it requires faith -- faith that God truly does care about you and is working a plan for your benefit as well as for the good of all those who are involved in your wearisome situation. Even though we have to wait for that plan to be completed, the opportunity to rest in peace is available now.
We think we can't have restful peace until the problem ends, but this is a wrong assumption. When we suffer from overwhelming weariness, it's not because of the problems, it's because we're not availing ourselves of the peace that God provides. Some of this peace comes during our quiet, alone moments with God. Most of the time, he provides it through community.
Jesus did nothing on his own. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always worked together, not just because they are one God, but because God's very nature is community -- an interactive community. Remember that he created us in this image. He designed us for community life. He uses community for the implementation of his plans.
No divine promise is fulfilled for our sake alone. There is no rest for the weary unless community helps us carry the burdens.
Look at the story in today's Gospel reading. The paralytic received a healing because of his friends. Do you have at least four friends who carry you when you're tired of ill health or mental anguish or spiritual trials -- one friend for each corner of your mat, so to speak? Name them, thank them, and spend some time relaxing with them.
What is making you lame? What's paralyzing you from doing what you're called to do? What has caused you to sit down on the roadside of your personal growth? Instead of trying to figure out how to get up and walk solely by your own strength, rest! God never intended for you to move forward by yourself. Rest in the help that God is providing through community.
To receive his help, we have to let down our walls of individualism and go to where we will find community. Every parish has a variety of opportunities, from ministry organizations to social events. It makes no sense to think that we can be in a good relationship with God without joining ourselves to his community.
Today's Prayer
Lord, help me to overcome the barriers that prevent me from going to You and remembering in difficult times the great things You have done for me. Blessed and praised be You! Amen.
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God Bless You.....
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