It is 7th December 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St. Ambrose, bishop, and doctor of the church. The readings are from Isaiah 35:1-10; and the Gospel from Luke 5:17-26.
God himself comes to us to heal us as we begin this week. As the people of Israel returns from exile broken, lost and exhausted, God assures them God’s presence and providence.
“Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” (Is.35:4)
The responsorial Psalm reiterates, “Our God will come to save us!” (Is.25:9).
The Advent is time to bring those who are unable to come near Jesus due to their physical inability and mental capacity. The paralytic in the Gospel had a bunch of friends who loved God and valued persons. Unless we are forgiven and healed, we cannot observe and feel for those who are wounded and broken. One’s faith and love are needed to bring someone closer to Jesus. St. Mother Theresa once remarked about our attitude towards the needy: “Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them.” We all have the power to make our religion true by the way we serve to the needy.
A man commented on the work of the saintly nun Mother Theresa saying, “Since it gives you the strength to do what you do, I have no doubt that your religion has to be true.” At time we have become spectators, and critiques of our own way of life and belief because we do not live it and challenge ourselves the values of the Kingdom of God. Let us be faithful to the apostolate God has entrusted to us through Jesus. The world needs us as the instruments of love, kindness, and affection towards those suffer and suffocate due to illness. Reaching out to those in need is believing in human dignity. Listening is the utmost respect we can offer to the other human being. We echo our personal healing by making the other’s feel the touch and healing of Jesus. May we make our initiatives bringing those bedridden to Jesus and the Church. Have a lovely day. God bless you.