Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 5:17-26
December 5, 2022 | Monday
One day, Jesus was teaching, and many Pharisees and teachers of the law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea, and even from Jerusalem. They were sitting there, while the power of the Lord was at work to heal the sick. Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat. They tried to enter the house to place him before Jesus, but they couldn’t find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof, and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” At once the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to wonder, “This man insults God! Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” But Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, “Why are you reacting like this? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up and walk’? Now you shall know, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” At once, the man stood before them. He took up the mat he had been lying on, and went home praising God. Amazement seized the people and they praised God. They were filled with a holy fear, and said, “What wonderful things we have seen today!”
Today’s Reflection:
When we fully put our trust in God, there is nothing impossible. All would be possible for a person who believes in the power of God. Jesus says that if we have faith even as small as a mustard seed, we could move mountains! Moreover, if we are given and have accepted the gift of faith, we should not remain passive in exercising it. Simply put, our faith should be active in our lives; we have to live it out with corresponding actions. It begins with believing, then sharing with others what we believe, and, finally, acting according to what we believe. When we journey in life with faith, we would know what awaits us in the end; we know we would receive everything that the Lord has promised to those who would remain steadfast in their faith in him. /Vulnerasti, 2022
