When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)
Piety
In this day, Lord, when beset with distractions, chores and problems, I will remember that “We have seen incredible things…” (Lk 5:26) You have caused the desert to bloom, brought your people out of exile, raised the temple which was razed, softened my heart with your mercy and forgiven my sins. Help me prepare your way by humbly caring for my neighbors and keeping your love and your glory in my heart. Amen.
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/121106.shtml
Have you had an “Ah-Ha” moment? Felt the forgiveness of God in your own heart? Felt free of the burdens of sin, unhealthy habits or an addiction - if even for a moment?
Isaiah, the prophet, clearly sees the enormous gulf between the glory, immensity and omnipotence of God, contrasting with the pettiness, fragility, paucity of humans. Yet in his poetry is the recognition that this vast God is a personal God who “comes with vindication;With divine recompense he comes to save you.” (Is 35:4) God comes to individuals: the infirm, the unlovable and those the world considers unworthy.
We can be part of the miraculous if we stay alert. Advent reminds us with its beautiful poetry and ritual. “Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.” (Ps. 85:10) We can be aware for the sake of others, too. Jesus forgives not only the sins of the disabled man but of the man’s friends! It was their creative and attentive action that brought him to Jesus. In the Psalm today, Divine activity is personified as pairs of virtues: “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. (Ps 85:11) Isn’t this personified in the actions of the men who cared enough about their friend to bring him to Jesus and the healing that Jesus bestows?
Can we put aside our own pettiness? Not get caught in our own problems and fragility? Offer up our paucity for the glory that is God. Will we climb the roof, move the tiles and clamber down to Jesus in our hearts? Bring a friend who needs our help! This season is not about Us!
Action
Christmas isn’t about the house being clean and the right color bows being tied. It isn’t even about getting the cards and packages mailed. It is: “I will hear what God proclaims” and emptying my heart of distractions so that God can make my desert bloom. Make contact with God in at least one new way: a daily Mass, a novena, a visit to a sick person or a visit to forgive someone who needs your forgiveness.
DeColores
Beth DeCristofaro
No comments:
Post a Comment