In our Gospel reading we have today, the paralytic waits for the pool of Bethesda to stir and strives to plunge himself to the pool first in order to obtain healing. But he would always be beaten by another sick person who is quicker. It seems that he should resign himself not to be healed anymore for he could never get to the pool first. But Jesus came and thanks to Him, he was healed without having to get to the pool first.
The Jews believed that if they plunge themselves to that pool first, they will be healed. They have faith that the pool water will cure them. It was not mentioned in that Gospel of John whether those who plunged first were all cured. But Jesus, in healing the paralytic, had driven home the essential meaning of healing or a miracle. It is God's power that heals. It is not the water (in this case), or the oil, or the words, or the touch, or the cloth, or anything that is being used in healing, that heals. Nor is it the person or place. Things, places, and persons are instruments of God who is the real healer. It would be wrong to attribute the healing to any of these other than God. Miracles or healings happen when the grace of God meets with the faith of human beings. Miracles can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. God always make available His power. You need not be in Fatima (Portugal), Lourdes (France), Naju (Korea) or Lipa (Batangas, Philippines) in order to be healed. Yes, those places were special places of healings for many, but not to all. Faith still is necessary. Those who had gone there did not necessarily change or were healed. In fact, they are even expected to exhibit more holiness because they were able to be in a place of special presence of God.
If change, or conversion, or healing or miracles do always happen in these places, then, all we have to do would be to finance the trip of people who we believe need change. In that way, the world will be a better place to live in. But we know it is not the case. It is the grace of God and the faith of men that effect change. Remember that God is everywhere and He could effect miracles or healing anywhere, at anytime, to anyone. Also, it hard to imagine that only those who can afford to be in special places of miracles, approach gifted healers, or avail of healing materials, will be healed or converted. God would then be a God of those who can afford and avail. No, it is not so. God graces are available to all.
The Good News is thatthe perfect presence and graces of God are really readily and always available to all of us, especially here in the Philippines. The place and event when we can meet the Lord in His perfect presence and avail of His healing grace is in the daily mass, in the Eucharist. One can expect healing in every Eucharist attended. The Eucharist, being the highest form of prayer and worship offers God' Himself in His body and blood. The Eucharist is salvific because it is the continuation of Jesus' saving action on the cross. The salvation that resulted in His death on the cross is also given in every celebrated Eucharist. The Eucharist is the bloodless saving action of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in order for one to obtain healing, or miracle, or conversion, he can avail of it now, here, and to himself. More than anything, anyone, or anywhere, God's power does it. Faith is the only response that can put it into fruition. Believe and live!
The Jews believed that if they plunge themselves to that pool first, they will be healed. They have faith that the pool water will cure them. It was not mentioned in that Gospel of John whether those who plunged first were all cured. But Jesus, in healing the paralytic, had driven home the essential meaning of healing or a miracle. It is God's power that heals. It is not the water (in this case), or the oil, or the words, or the touch, or the cloth, or anything that is being used in healing, that heals. Nor is it the person or place. Things, places, and persons are instruments of God who is the real healer. It would be wrong to attribute the healing to any of these other than God. Miracles or healings happen when the grace of God meets with the faith of human beings. Miracles can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. God always make available His power. You need not be in Fatima (Portugal), Lourdes (France), Naju (Korea) or Lipa (Batangas, Philippines) in order to be healed. Yes, those places were special places of healings for many, but not to all. Faith still is necessary. Those who had gone there did not necessarily change or were healed. In fact, they are even expected to exhibit more holiness because they were able to be in a place of special presence of God.
If change, or conversion, or healing or miracles do always happen in these places, then, all we have to do would be to finance the trip of people who we believe need change. In that way, the world will be a better place to live in. But we know it is not the case. It is the grace of God and the faith of men that effect change. Remember that God is everywhere and He could effect miracles or healing anywhere, at anytime, to anyone. Also, it hard to imagine that only those who can afford to be in special places of miracles, approach gifted healers, or avail of healing materials, will be healed or converted. God would then be a God of those who can afford and avail. No, it is not so. God graces are available to all.
The Good News is thatthe perfect presence and graces of God are really readily and always available to all of us, especially here in the Philippines. The place and event when we can meet the Lord in His perfect presence and avail of His healing grace is in the daily mass, in the Eucharist. One can expect healing in every Eucharist attended. The Eucharist, being the highest form of prayer and worship offers God' Himself in His body and blood. The Eucharist is salvific because it is the continuation of Jesus' saving action on the cross. The salvation that resulted in His death on the cross is also given in every celebrated Eucharist. The Eucharist is the bloodless saving action of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in order for one to obtain healing, or miracle, or conversion, he can avail of it now, here, and to himself. More than anything, anyone, or anywhere, God's power does it. Faith is the only response that can put it into fruition. Believe and live!
No comments:
Post a Comment