December 7, 2020
Monday for Second Week of Advent
Readings for Today
Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial
Listen for English
Some men carry one man wey paralysis hold come on top stretcher; dem dey try bring am inside and put am for Jesus front. But because of the crowd, dem no see way to bring am inside. So dem climb go roof, open the roof tiles, and lower am with the stretcher enter the middle, for Jesus front. Luke 5:18–19
E good make we notice say, as these friends wey get strong faith dey lower the man wey paralysis hold from the roof come Jesus front, Pharisee dem and teachers of the Law surround Jesus. Dem come “from every village for Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem” (Luke 5:17). These leaders for religion come plenty. Dem dey among the Jews wey get education pass, and dem dey among the people wey gather to hear Jesus speak that day. One reason why the friends of the man wey paralysis hold no fit reach Jesus without taking this bold step to open the roof na because plenty of these leaders gather round Jesus.
So wetin Jesus do when E see as dem lower the man wey paralysis hold from the roof come His front? E tell the man say God don forgive im sins. E pain say, as soon as these leaders for religion hear those words, dem begin strongly condemn wetin E talk inside their hearts. Dem talk among themselves say, “Who be this wey dey talk blasphemy? Who fit forgive sins apart from God alone?” (Luke 5:21)
But Jesus know wetin dem dey think, and E decide to do one more thing for the good of these leaders for religion. The first thing Jesus do, to forgive the sins of the man wey paralysis hold, na for the good of the man. But e worth make we notice say, e be like say the main reason why Jesus heal the man body na for the sake of these Pharisee dem and teachers of the Law wey dey full of pride and dey see only themselves as righteous. Jesus heal the man so that dem go “know say the Son of Man get authority for earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). As soon as Jesus do this miracle, the Gospel tell us say everybody “dey full of wonder” and give God glory. E be like say even those leaders for religion wey dey condemn others join too.
So wetin this one teach us? E show how deeply Jesus love these leaders for religion, even with their great pride and the way dem dey condemn others. E want win their hearts. E want make dem repent, humble themselves and turn to Am. E no too hard to show love and compassion to person wey paralysis hold, wey people don already reject and humiliate. But to still care deeply for people wey get pride and dey look down on others need love wey strong well-well.
Today, think deeply about the love wey Jesus get for these leaders for religion. Even though dem come to find fault with Am, judge Am wrongly and continue to try catch Am for trap, Jesus no ever stop to try win their hearts. As you dey think about this mercy of our Lord, think also about the person for your life wey hard you pass to love, and commit yourself again to love that person with all your heart, as you dey follow the example of our divine Lord.
My Lord wey full of mercy pass all, give me heart wey dey forgive and show mercy to others. Help me especially to care deeply for the people wey hard me pass to love. As I dey follow the example of Your divine mercy, give me strength to show everybody love wey no hold anything back, so that dem go come know You more deeply. Jesus, na You I trust.
Novena to the Immaculate Conception
November 29-December 7
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of the Day – Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial
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