December 7, 2020
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Readings for Today
San Ambrosio, Obispo ug Magtutudlo sa Simbahan—Paghandum
Paminaw sa Iningles
Ug may pipila ka mga lalaki nga nagdala ug usa ka paralitiko nga naghigda sa higdaanan; naningkamot sila sa pagpasulod kaniya aron ibutang sa atubangan ni Jesus. Apan tungod sa panon sa katawhan, wala silay makit-ang agianan aron mapasulod siya. Busa misaka sila sa atop ug gitonton siya uban sa iyang higdaanan latas sa mga tisa, ngadto sa taliwala sa katawhan, sa atubangan ni Jesus. Lucas 5:18–19
It’s interesting to note that, as these faith-filled friends of the paralyzed man lowered him down from the roof in front of Jesus, Jesus was surrounded by Pharisees and teachers of the law “from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem” (Luke 5:17). The religious leaders came in droves. They were among the most educated of the Jews and happened to be among the ones who had gathered to see Jesus speak that day. And it was partly on account of large numbers of them gathering around Jesus that the friends of the paralyzed man could not reach Jesus without this radical move of opening the roof.
So what does Jesus do when He sees the paralytic lowered before Him from the roof? He told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven. Sadly, those words were immediately met with severe interior criticism from these religious leaders. They said among themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” (Luke 5:21)
But Jesus knew their thoughts and decided to do one more act for the good of these religious leaders. The first act of Jesus, to forgive the paralytics sins, was for the good of the paralytic. But the paralytic’s physical healing, interestingly, appears to be primarily for these pompous and self-righteous Pharisees and teachers of the law. Jesus heals the man so that they will “know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). As soon as Jesus performs this miracle, the Gospel tells us that everyone was “struck with awe” and glorified God. Apparently, this included the judgmental religious leaders.
So what does this teach us? It shows how deeply Jesus loved these religious leaders despite their exceptional pride and judgmentalness. He wanted to win them over. He wanted them to convert, humble themselves and turn to Him. It’s somewhat easy to show love and compassion to one who is paralyzed, rejected, and humiliated already. But it takes an incredible amount of love to also care deeply about the proud and arrogant.
Pamalandongi karon ang gugma ni Jesus alang niining mga pangulo sa relihiyon. Bisan tuod mianhi sila aron mangitag ikasaway Kaniya, mohukom Kaniya sa dili makiangayon ug kanunayng mosulay sa paglit-ag Kaniya, wala gayod mohunong si Jesus sa Iyang mga paningkamot nga makabig sila. Samtang naghunahuna ka niining kaluoy sa atong Ginoo, hunahunaa usab ang tawo sa imong kinabuhi nga labing lisod higugmaon, ug bag-oha ang imong pasalig sa paghigugma kaniya sa tibuok mong kasingkasing, sa pagsundog sa atong balaang Ginoo.
My most merciful Lord, give me a heart of forgiveness and mercy for others. Help me, especially, to have a deep concern for those whom I find most difficult to love. In imitation of Your divine mercy, strengthen me to act with a radical love for all so that they will come to know You more deeply. Jesus, I trust in You.
Nobena sa Imakulada Concepcion
Nobyembre 29-Disyembre 7
Tan-awa ang among mga kapanguhaan alang sa Adbiyento!
Mga Pamalandong sa Balaang Kasulatan
Dugang nga mga Pamalandong sa Ebanghelyo
Mga Pamalandong sa Diosnong Kalooy
Saint of the Day – Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial
Mga Kapilian sa mga Basahon sa Misa
Featured image above: The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof By James Tissot
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