Thursday 2nd July 2020. Read Amos 7:10-17, Psalm 19:8-11, Matthew 9:1-8)_
“When Jesus
saw their faith he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are
forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2)
Today, we read another
healing episode of Jesus occasioned by some really good friends who went all
the way to bring a paralyzed man to Him. Other synoptic Gospels add the extra
detail that these friends had to come in through the roof of the house where
Jesus was.
Matthew tells us that Jesus
was moved by their faith. These friends believed completely in Jesus so much so
that their faith was visible to Jesus. Indeed, when it comes to faith, we can
never hide anything from God because He sees our Heart.
While these friends were
acting out their faith, there were others doing the very opposite. Indeed, it
is not all those who come to Church that is there for God. Like these scribes
and Pharisees, there are many who come simply to pick errors, to cause
disaffection and ultimately to work for the destruction of God’s work.
In the time of Amos, there
was a man called Amaziah who claimed to be a priest but in the real sense, had
lost his true calling and had become merely a minister of stomach
infrastructure. Since he fed from the king’s table, he no longer had the
effrontery to speak the truth to power. Instead, he turned around to attack
Amos. Amaziah represents the many men and women of God who continue to attack
the Church from within; by placing riches over the salvation of souls, they have
bowed to satan.
Jesus’ question to the
Scribes and Pharisees who challenged his authority to forgive sin is one that
deserves some pondering. Jesus did not ask, “Why do you think I can’t forgive
sins?” He asked: “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Lack of Faith in God
is itself a great evil we must tackle in our lives. To underestimate God or to
belittle God’s power and authority is just as bad as any sin we can think of.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from faithlessness. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 13th Week
in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Amos 7:10-17, Psalm 19:8-11,
Matthew 9:1-8).
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