Weekly Message

Almost no one comes to faith or grows in faith by him or herself.  People who have shared their faith with us, answered our questions about the church or inspired us to seek God have influenced us all. 

My list of faith filled people begins with my loving parents who were very active in parish life.  Next on the list are the dedicated nuns and priests who helped me discover that God is not some distant God watching me from afar but a God who wants a relationship with me and dwells within me.  I have been blessed with friends and other good people who have brought me to Jesus in their own unique way.

This week’s Gospel tells a story of a crippled man who was placed before Jesus by the ingenious efforts of his friends.  Jesus saw their faith and said, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”  The story makes it clear that the real freedom brought by Jesus is spiritual and eternal.  This is the only liberation that we absolutely must have.  Physical cure is desirable but it is only temporary relief.

The scribes are shocked to hear Jesus proclaim forgiveness of God.  They are paralyzed by their disbelief and their narrow interpretation of religion.  We are all victims of some paralysis – low self-esteem, fear, to name a few- that keeps us from realizing our full potential. 

God’s gift of faith is intended to do far more than help us accept the words of the creed.  The gift of faith enables us to trust the goodness that comes to us from God, from loving persons and from the beauty of God’s creation.  Faith enables us to see the hidden goodness in life.  This goodness is sometimes hard to discern but it is always available to those who are willing to look for it.  This experience of goodness frees us to let go of the evil and hurt that are part of every life.

Faith is not something we can simply wish for.  Like the paralytic, we need to count on family and friends who are more than willing to help us to meet Jesus and to hear those precious words: “Your sins are forgiven” and “Rise, pick up your mat and walk.”  When this happens, we will gladly say, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Who are the people who have brought you to Jesus and helped you grow in faith?  Who are some people you have brought to Jesus and helped grow in faith?

Helen L. Curran

GIFT- Grades 1-3