WEEK EIGHT: MIRACLES, SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM DAY 2
"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Mark 2: 9-12: The Healing of a Paralytic: "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat, and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" – he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." [Please read Mark 1: 1-12 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; then pray using Mark 1: 1-12; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)
1. Your sins are forgiven: Only God can forgive sin. If Jesus begins the encounter by first forgiving the paralytic his sins (Mark 2: 5), then he is suggesting that he is God, and therefore, also has the power to cure the man of his illness.
2. He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone: After Jesus forgives the man his sins, to the horrified disgust of his opponents, he then heals the paralytic of his illness. The man's gesture of rising, picking up his mat, and walking away in the sight of everyone, is an indescribable sight to behold!
3. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this": God's actions in Creation, and in miracles of healing, make it very clear that God is incomprehensible to our minds, and totally other-than what we can ever imagine. The spontaneous response on our part, therefore, is astonishment, amazement, gratitude and praise on our lips. As the crowd exclaimed, "We have never seen anything like this!"
The miracle of forgiveness of sin by God thru the Son of Man. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" Mark 2:10. There is a physical representation of sin being forgiven in our lives, the burden has been removed and you are free to move. As a Catholic, I have experienced this after coming out of the confessional, there is a difference in my spirit. I realize this is in contrast to the world and it stands in opposition to some. As Son of Man, Jesus came to set us free, to be walking living miracles that we each are. The evil one does the opposite, he betrays and weighs us down with sin. Only God can forgive sin, it is Jesus who took this burden upon himself and buried it where it belonged so we may have life and have it more abundantly. Miracles are happening every day around us, are we witnessing it and glorifying God with it.
What is God saying to you? Speak to the heart for the mind will get it wrong based upon what it has been consuming. My Heart is never wrong.
Dear Lord God, You stand in stark contrast to what the world proclaims, You speak truth into the world and reveal love in our midst. I pray for the spiritual food we all need to satisfy our souls, I pray for living witnesses to Your glory here on earth. I pray for a young man's healing who has a brain tumor and his family living this event, may it strengthen their resolve to serve You. Thank You Father for answered prayers in a young ladies life, may we all experience Your love in some way or another. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Protector of Holy Church, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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