no fuss

Amos 7:10-17; Ps 19 The judgments of the lord are true, and all of them just; Matthew 9:1-8

Just a few notes as i think back on the readings for today.

"And there people brought to him (jesus) a paralytic lying on a stretcher.  When JEsus saw their with, he said to the paralytic, "courage, child, your sins are forgiven...Rise, ice up your mat and go home..."


Note one:

Jesus was impressed by the friends of the paralytic.  Jesus was impressed by the friends he kept.

Now, Would Jesus be impressed by the friends we keep?

The faith filled friends moved Jesus to act.  Friends can not make one or force one to follow christ but by their life choices they can bring the other into presence of Christ.

What is a good friend?  A friend is one who brings others to the presence of Christ and simple lets the presence of Christ do His thing, without hinderance, or nagging, or constant breading but simple brings the presence of Christ to the front.

This is what we are called to do by a life of faith.  We don't have to convince people we are right and they are wrong.  We don't have to be smarter, or have better arguments, or be slicker with words.  We just have to live it and the example alone sways...

It is good to have faith filled friends around who constantly bring the presence christ with them when they arrive.  It is better to be a faith filled friends and let the presence of Christ sway and charm.

Second note:

Jesus forgives.  He didn't make a big stink about it.  He just offered it, plain and simple.

This forgiveness brings new life; it lifts.   One of the clearest ways we can model Christ is to do what h does, he forgives readily, promptly.

How easy for us to follow.  Just give the gift that lifts and direct another home: rise, pickup your mat and go home.

No fuss, just gift.


Note three:

The last line of the gospel, "they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men."

Yesterday I was at the bed side of a man who was dying.  As I ministered the rites for the dying, I said the words of the apostolic pardon which borrows the power from Jesus words to Peter, "what you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, what you lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

here is the prayer: Through the Holy mysteries of  our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishment in this life and the life to come; may he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.  By the authority which the apostolic see has given me, I grant you a full pardon and remission of all of your sins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

I was struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

We priest are humbled by the gift we are asked to share with everyone: rise, pick up your mat, and go home.

The gentlemen died this morning.  He rose and went home.

BE blessed!