December 11, 2017 Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent-B
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 85
Luke 5:17-26
Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return… Is 35:10
…a man who was paralyzed… Lk. 5:18
Lord, the Pharisees were right in asking “who but God alone can forgive sins?” This paralyzed man had no hope of ever walking, running or dancing. He was trapped in a body that no longer moved. Who knows the extent of his fear, his pain, his despair? Thank God he had loyal and resourceful friends who let nothing stand in their way of bringing him before you for healing. You praised them for their determination and faith. But you saw the condition of this man’s soul as more important than his broken back and weak legs. You saw a man paralyzed by sin. Freeing this man from whatever burdened him or separated him from the Father was your first priority even in the face of questions and doubts from the gathered holy priests. Lord, look into my heart today. Give me the faith of this man’s friends to come to you in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Heal whatever is paralyzing me or holding me back from a closer relationship with our Father. Help me to let go of that which keeps me from running to you and giving myself to you completely. Amen