As you begin your scripture reading, consider last week’s scriptures and return to any that are staying with you. Or, once again take time to read and consider the scripture below.
Listen to the Audio
Luke 5:17-26 Many people surround Jesus, looking for teaching and healing. Perhaps I am one of the friends who brings someone to Jesus for healing and forgiveness.
Presence: Take two deep cleansing breaths, remembering that God is the giver of life. “Thank you for your grace.”
Read Luke 5:17-26 twice, once silently and once audibly.
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Gospel Contemplation
How do you respond to this story of these faithful friends? We often think we are unable to help others, since we ourselves are not yet perfectly healed. Jesus works in us and through us, even now. Jesus calls us beyond ourselves—for the sake of others.
What is your prayer? Can you take all the words of your prayer—in whatever prayer form you have chosen, and make them into an intimate “breath prayer?” For example, repeating: “Give me courage LORD. Give me courage.” Or “Strengthen me LORD. Strengthen me.” Stay with your “breath prayer” for several minutes, finishing with a simple “amen.”
Journal how this prayer time has impacted you and how you wish to do life. Amen.
Journal your prayer and experience of this time.
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