FRIENDS

Are we a source of inspiration for others or desperation? This question we might want to ask ourselves. When we see people whose hands are feeble and their knees become weak, do we give encouragement and strength or do we bombard them with our negative and detrimental remarks? The Spirit of God dwells in each one of us and we should consciously make an effort to build His Kingdom here on earth by making good choices. We can choose to be nasty and rude or compassionate and understanding to others. The reign of God's Kingdom is well within our reach as described in today's 1st reading but we have yet to see it unless we make it our choice. There are many choices presented to us every day but we have to realize that this choice we've got to make is not that difficult after all. Today's 1st reading tells us that we are bound to experience and benefit the best things not even this life can offer if we make this choice. We may be in a period of our life where we can compare ourselves to a desert but there is no reason to despair for God can make all things new. We should never doubt the power of God to be able to do and carry out what He has planned in our lives. As in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope." Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 35:1-10
1 The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. 2 They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, 4 say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; 6 then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. 7 The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; the abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus. 8 A highway will be there, called the holy way; no one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it. 9 No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk. 10 Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

What a wonderful world this place that we live in could be if only we listen to the instructions constantly being given to us in the scriptures. There is really nothing more that God can do for us that He has not done. God is never short of blessings to shower on us. He has made it all available to us through His Son. All that is needed is for us to make our move. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 13-14
R: Our God will come to save us!
8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD-for he proclaims peace to his people. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

Friends are gifts from God. They can be a source of healing and joy. Just like in today’s gospel these men went out of their way to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. Just imagine bringing a man on a stretcher up on the roof and letting him through it to get right in front of Jesus. Friends who stick with us not only in good but also in bad times are the ones that we can call real friends. There are times in our lives when we are unable to do things on our own as if we are paralyzed and could only do limited things. Those people who come to our aid are just like these men who became instruments of God’s healing. We are truly blessed if we have found friends along the way who have become like one to us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 5:17-26
...And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set [him] in his presence. 19 But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” ...he said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 25 He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. 26 Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”