MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT DECEMBER 5, 2022

MASS READINGS:

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Lk 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

REFLECTION

Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

Just this weekend, PAPA had an Advent Retreat. Father Michael spoke about the 7 inclinations for us to conquer if we want to go to heaven. The source of what is bad in me is found in numbers 1-7 (inclusive).

1. Pride--full of self (peacock)

2. Avarice--Handful (toad)

3. Lust --Mindless (goat)

4. Wrath--Breathless (lion)

5. Gluttony--Stupid Tasteless (pig)

6. Envy--Heartless (snake)

7. Sloth--Spineless (snail)

And what am I to do?

We are reminded in the Gospel of the mercy of Jesus. Over and over again we are told that He is more than willing to pardon our offenses. We forget that we have some crossroads to pass, some road blocks to overcome, some pot holes to skip or fix and, at times, our surroundings in the midst of this chaotic world can get us confused. We need to confess and repent.

The simple name of Jesus is our mighty strength and the source of our graces. We anticipate the coming of the Lord this Christmas. We prepare for Him as we prepare for only the Best. And especially in this season of thanksgiving, we want to share what we have with our many friends. And in this walk toward humility and loss of pride, may we hope that not only our prayers for ourselves will help, but that our prayers and example may also help others.

It is our duty to not only get ourselves to heaven but also others. And the way is Jesus. If we are convinced of Jesus, our prayers will rise up for others, in hopes that He will heal them as well.

Light the second Advent candle for a brighter future so that filled with love and hope, we can see the road ahead of us.

God Bless You