Good morning good people may the Lord bless with peace, grace, and good health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 14th January 2022. We reflect on 1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22 and Mark 2:1-12.
“The future is not someplace we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination,” explains John Schaar.
To choose means to sacrifice not ourselves or our limbs and longings but our desire to replace God. Sacrifice is greater than choices. Every bit of sacrifice adds colour, texture, aroma of authentic choices that build up the suffering humanity. Excluding sacrifice leads to destructive and selfish choices.
Personal security and success cannot exclude God’s providential care and guidance.
The Israelites wanted to move from theocracy to democracy. Despite the warning of Samuel of the consequences of rejecting the rule of God, people opted for the monarchy. It showed their lack of faith in God and overconfidence in themselves as they were desperate for a leader.
God respects our freedom and our choices. God allows us to love or not to, or even to choose the wrong. All said and done, God never gives up on us but give in out of love. But God always wants us to choose life and not the opposite. Whenever we have made the wrong choices, with the forgiving heart that God leads us back to Him.
As we witness the double healing of a paralytic, we witness the faith and forgiveness at display in the story. Faith grows in a community of faithful people. Because of the faith of friends, healing was possible for the paralytic. We all need support to strengthen our faith.
We too are paralyzed in several ways. Yes, the pandemic has paralyzed us in many ways, but moving away from God is the spiritual paralysis we all face. The willful rejection of God is the paralysis we all need to deal with today.
To choose means to sacrifice not ourselves or our limbs and longings but our desire to replace God.
Are we sacrificing God for our personal security and success?
May the Lord strengthen our faith by the sacrifices of carrying the burdensome people in our family, community, and country. God bless you.