Some "stretcher-bearers" carried to Jesus a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw the faith of the stretcher-bearers, He said to the paralyzed man, "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven" (Mt 9:2).
Jesus cannot resist a prayer that comes to Him in faith (see Mt 8:10-13; 15:27-28). Today's Gospel does not even record any words of the stretcher-bearers. They simply carried the paralytic to Jesus. However, the text of this passage records that what triggered Jesus' healing action was the moment when He saw the faith of the stretcher-bearers (Mt 9:2). Then Jesus exceeded the faith of the stretcher-bearers. He not only healed the paralytic, but even forgave the man's sins! (Mt 9:2) Jesus does far more than we ask Him (Eph 3:20).
Perhaps you struggle in speaking or writing. You can still bring people to Jesus, like today's stretcher-bearers. You may need to break through walls, or even roofs (Mk 2:4; Lk 5:19). But do not lose heart. Keep bringing people who are spiritually or physically paralyzed to Jesus in prayer. Bring your loved ones to Jesus. Find other stretcher-bearers with whom you can carry people to Jesus. Bring them in (see Lk 14:23).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, like St, Andrew, may I spend the rest of my life bringing people to You (Jn 1:40-42; 6:8-9; 12:21-22). |
| PROMISE: | "The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye." –Ps 19:9 |
| PRAISE: | Roman Emperors from Nero to Diocletian brashly tried to snuff out Christianity. Through the power of Jesus' Resurrection, the First Martyrs of Rome proved "God's folly is wiser than men" (1 Cor 1:25). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College