Meditation Minute

My Dearest brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Do you want to be healed?" In today’s Gospel reading (John 5:1-16), we hear the story of a man who was healed by Jesus after being sick for 38 years. Jesus asks the man, “Do you want to be healed?” The man answers, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus replies, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." The Gospel says, “And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.” What is it that you ask of Christ? In this Gospel story, a man had tried for years to get into the healing waters to cure himself of the aliments which inflicted his body. He desired to be healed, but he could not get to the water. When Jesus sees the sincerity in his heart, He frees him from the bonds of his affliction. Jesus is the river of life which flows out to each of us. The healing waters transform us and bring us new life. But, we must be willing to venture into the water. We cannot be relieved of the things which hold us back unless we reach out. Jesus tells the man, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.” It is truly our sins that wounds us. Once we are liberated from sin, we must strive to keep sin away. If we become complacent with who we are, then we will fall again. Every day we must strive to walk toward Christ. Every day we must recognize the sins which have inflicted us and ask for God’s help.

A Simple Prayer My Lord, Jesus, I desire to change. I desire to be cleansed in the river of life. Give me the strength to walk into the river.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon