(Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22A; Psalm 89:16-17. 18-19; Mark 2:1-12)
As a mother my heart has been broken many, many times as I have watched my children choose paths that I know will cause them great pain. Of all the heartaches in my life, witnessing my children experience such hurt is the greatest of all. Guilt creeps in. In my mind races thoughts of “If I would have been a better mother…”, “If my husband would have been a better father…”, “I should have known better”, “I wish I would have done it differently”, “They are suffering as a result of my mistakes”. No greater pain can a parent experience then to witness their children hurt in such a way.
Then I read in today’s first reading how the Israelites rejected God. How this must have pained God to witness his children turn away from his tender protection and provision. God knew the consequences of their choosing to be like other nations and to become ruled by an earthly, and therefore sinful, king. He even had the prophet Samuel tell them the pain they, and the generations that would follow them, would suffer. And yet, God’s chosen children turned away from their heavenly Father and the suffering began. The anger, frustration, heartache, unforgiveness, sorrow, loss, anguish that followed inevitably filled their hearts as they suffered oppression.
The paralytic in today’s Gospel also suffered as a result of sin, perhaps sins of his fathers before him as we witness in our first reading. Jesus, witnessing the faith of this man and his companions, immediately forgave the man of his sins instead of healing him in some other manner – as if his condition was a direct result of sin. Remember it is sin that causes pain and death. So what sin could have been committed that would have led to such suffering?
Obviously turning away from God is a great sin; however, is it the actual act of turning away that causes us to experience pain or is it something different? Is God wrathful to the point that he inflicts pain upon us when we abandon him? Or, when we turn away from God, like the Israelites did, do we find ourselves outside of His protection and provision – vulnerable to evil and sin? I believe it is the later, our turning away leaves us exposed to sin and evil and the heartache that follows.
So why does God allow pain in our lives? Why does he allow sin? Why does he allow us to turn away from his protection and provision? Of course we know God has given us free will; but, why does he allow the pain when we know he, the creator of the universe, has the power to stop it. The answer lies in the fact that God allows pain for mankind’s greater good – so that we turn to Him like the paralytic and his companions did in today’s Gospel. Sometimes we need to experience heartache so that we turn to the One who has the power to guarantee everlasting happiness in our lives. Sometimes we need to experience painful emotions before we recognize our need for our Father.
Today’s world is filled with God’s children suffering from painful emotions and now science is revealing the direct connection between physical suffering and emotional pain. The emotions most damaging to our health are rage, unforgiveness, depression, anger worry, frustration, fear, grief, and guilt. These emotions negatively affect the health of our cardiovascular systems, our immune systems, our digestive system and our hormonal system.
However, all of these harmful emotions can be overcome and healing can be experienced when we fall back under the protection and provision of our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit. When we set our eye on Jesus and we make our relationship with him a priority in our lives we will begin to forgive, we begin to love our neighbors as ourselves and we will begin to put others before ourselves. We will become like the paralytic and his companions who put all their trust in Jesus, and Jesus, in return will set us free by forgiving our sins so that we can live life to its fullest.
So how do we accomplish this? How do we enjoy such a relationship with Jesus that we experience such freedom? In order to do this we must feel Jesus and his love in our hearts because the key to union with God is found in our hearts. Keep in mind that love cannot exist in a heart that is filled with painful emotions. Like the scribes in today’s reading who were thinking un-Godly thoughts in their hearts, if our hearts are filled in such a way tat we cannot hear His voice, we will be separated from God’s protection and provision. Therefore we must allow for Godly thoughts of forgiveness, love, joy, and gratitude into our hearts.
A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13
I will give them one [a] heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, says the Lord God.
Ezekiel 11:19-21
This can be accomplished through heartfelt prayer. Instead of simply saying the words, take the time to actually feel what it is like to receive what you are praying for. If you are praying for the safety of your children, then allow your heart to experience God protecting your children. If you are praying for health, then allow you heart the experience God healing you. If you are praying for a deeper union with God, then allow your heart to actually feel a deeper union. Ask Jesus to transform your heart so that it is filled with the love of God.
As I am preparing for my The L.I.V.E. Method Transformational Retreat this weekend I am reminded of the value our hearts hold for God. He loves us and our hearts belong to him; however, sometimes we forget this. Let’s come together and give of our hearts back to God so that all of us, and the generations that follow, can reclaim our rightful inheritance that our heavenly Father has for us. An inheritance where our sins are forgiven and where we experience happiness in our families for all the generations to follow.
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
