BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH, THEY HAVE BEEN HEALED

Rev Fr Michael Payyapilly VC (online mass) spoke about today's Gospel Luke 5:17-26 - the story of some men carrying the paralyzed man to Jesus.

Faith is not just about a moment in time, it is a journey

Faith is not just about coming to Jesus.  Faith is a journey.  A journey of compassion within our hearts to carry the man who is paralyzed, sometimes over long distances, and not giving up. The men in the Gospel story did not give up when they found the house crowded, they overcome obstacles, climbed the roof, broke the tiles - it is a whole journey.  The faith that Jesus speaks about is not just a moment of faith, but a journey of faith. 

Carrying our loved ones

Many of us make these journeys with those who are dear to us, people who may be paralyzed in their spirituality, in their morality, in different areas of their lives where they don't seem to be going any where at all, or they have gone into wrong company. They may be struggling with their dead of confused spirituality or morality,  It can be especially difficult when they are not responding and we feel they not going anywhere even with our prayers.  It is not easy to carry someone else's spiritual burden and their spiritual emptiness, because we battle our own spiritual emptiness.  But do not give up.

Do not tire of praying for them

We need to remind ourselves of this Gospel story.  Sometimes we have to break open many many tiles to bring them into the presence of Jesus, but do not give up, do not be afraid or tire of praying for them, because one day Jesus will look at your faith and tell the person, "you have been healed because of them."  

It is a worthwhile journey, it is our vocation

And that is the day we will realise carrying someone with paralysis was worth it, it is a part of our discipleship, our vocation.  

Rom 15:1 - We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Each of us must please our neighbours for the good purpose of building up the neighbours. 

Eph 6:2;  Bear one another burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of the Christ.    

Someone carried us

Remember too that someone did it for us, and today, it is time for us to do it for someone else.   

Col 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of god's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you may live life worthy of God.  

Because of your faith, they are healed

Never cease praying until we live lives worthy of God.  Ask the Lord to give us the courage and heart to carry our brother and sister, let us never complain about this vocation we have been invited to, carrying them to Jesus, at times having to climb and at times having to break through tiles, but one day, to hear those words from the Lord, "because of your faith, they have been healed."