The Desert Shall Bloom Lame People Shall Leap

December 6, Monday

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

 

At the time of the exile, in what is called “the little Apocalypse” (Is 34-35), a disciple of Isaiah describes the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and the Holy Land as a return to Paradise: no sin, no suffering, no fatigue even, with all sickness cured and creation sharing in the liberation of people. For God dwells among his people.

These glowing terms begin to apply more fully when Jesus comes and forgives sin and illness, the consequences and manifestations of sin. When Jesus appears, he comes to bring life to the poor. Yes, the lame people leap for joy, for God has taken pity on them through Jesus.

 

First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

Wilderness and desert will sing joyously,
    the Badlands will celebrate and flower—
Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom,
    a symphony of song and colour.
Mountain glories of Lebanon—a gift.
    Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon—gifts.
God’s resplendent glory, fully on display.
    God awesome, God majestic.

Energize the limp hands,
    strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
    “Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
    on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
    He’s on his way! He’ll save you!”

Blind eyes will be opened,
    deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer,
    the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness,
    streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis,
    thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink,
    and barren grasslands flourish richly.

There will be a highway
    called the Holy Road.
No one rude or rebellious
    is permitted on this road.
It’s for God’s people exclusively—
    impossible to get lost on this road.
    Not even fools can get lost on it.
No lions on this road,
    no dangerous wild animals—
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
    Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed
    will come back on this road.
They’ll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
    unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness
    as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.

 

Gospel: Lk 5:17-26

One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and religion teachers were sitting around. They had come from nearly every village in Galilee and Judea, even as far away as Jerusalem, to be there. The healing power of God was on him.

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, “Friend, I forgive your sins.”

That set the religion scholars and Pharisees buzzing. “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemous talk! God and only God can forgive sins.”

Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and said, “Why all this gossipy whispering? Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: “Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.” Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way. The people rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then also gave glory to God. Awestruck, they said, “We’ve never seen anything like that!”

 

Prayer

Lord our God,
you come among your people;
to those who are poor and paralyzed
you bring them your forgiveness
and your tender compassion
through your Son Jesus Christ.
God, make us deeply believe
that you want to liberate us
from our discouragement and powerlessness.
Give us a sincere, trusting hope
in your healing, compassionate love,
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

 

Reflection:

Hatred paralyses, forgiveness heals

“My friend, your sins are forgiven.” That was not what he came for. He hoped something could be done about his paralysis. He had every reason for  disappointment. We approach the Lord with numerous of desires and supplications. But to reach closer to the Lord, he purifies us first, grants us forgiveness of sins. As we approach him in this Advent season, the Lord offers us this precious gift – forgiveness and peace of mind.

Studies have proved that there is a direct relationship between sickness that affect the human body and their behavior. Modern medicine has identified many of the sicknesses as psycho-somatic. A lot of people are sick and even in hospital because their bodies reveal symptoms of disease which has its roots in their hearts, minds and emotions. Forgiving one another and obtaining God’s forgiveness are essential for the wellbeing of the whole human person  – in body, mind, heart and in our relationships with others.

The healing of the paralytic makes an indication to the story of the resurrection, the new life. When the man now stands up and is able to walk, something he could not do before, he goes home. He goes to the place where he belongs. We stand in need of the healing of Christ which removes the things that paralyze or handicap us in our following of the Lord. His forgiveness and his healing touch enables us to stand up again from the paralyses of sinfulness and then we find our way to our true home, our heavenly Father’s home.

The last part of the miracle seems to be that not only did the man and his friends glorify God, but “astonishment seized them all” and it appears that even the scribes and Pharisees “glorified God and were struck with awe.”  

Today we have the chance to be struck with awe by the God who is at our side and saves us at every moment of the day.  Today is a chance to be grateful and glorify God.  If we allow ourselves to believe that God is really here for us today, then our hearts and lives will be filled with “joy and gladness.”

 

Video available on Youtube: Hatred paralyses, forgiveness heals