Everyone remembers the words of President John Kennedy who said at his inauguration, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
The most remarkable thing about both of our readings today was not the forgiveness of sin or the miraculous cure of the paralytic man but the combination of this Gospel and the readings from Hebrews.
The unknown author of Hebrews is lamenting the Good News of Christ falling on deaf ears. They did not take the message of Jesus and give it to anyone else. The scripture is not only talking about keeping the rest of God and not working on the Sabath. It is talking about receiving the Good News and sitting on it and not giving it to others. If someone owns a diamond, they, they should wear it. Its sparkle cannot be appreciated unless it comes to the light. Nonetheless, Hebrews is not just talking about the Sabath. The diamond we own is our faith. How can we make it sparkle?
Heavenly rest is the rest of God when He created the world. That day He rested, as we do on the Sabath. However, the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:17-20 says we are to go out into the whole world. We must follow the does and don’ts of Exodus 20 but also spread the Good News to the world.
Scripture does not only give us rules. It gives us the reasoning and spirit of God in our lives. Since we are images of God, we need to appreciate how He thinks.
In our Gospel Jesus cured the paralytic and forgave His sins. We know that Jesus does so much for us and performs miracles for everyone over the course of our lives. Every time we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we receive the miracle of forgiveness. Now let me ask a question.
What have I done for Jesus today?
Myself, I know that I haven’t thanked Jesus enough for all He has done for me. Every day I try to do something for Him to build His Kingdom here on Earth. As Saint Mother Teresa once said, ” We can do no great things. Only small things with Great Love”.
I must admit my messages are not always the best, but I pray that whatever I write has the words that God wants someone to hear. There are so many more wonderful authors of these reflections. We don’t have to be perfect in how we spread the Gospel. We have to do the best we can, and God will do the rest. This is meant for you as well.
Going back to President Kennedy and let me paraphrase what he said for us in light of the faith that is shown in the readings from Hebrews.
“Ask not what Jesus can do for you today, but what you can do for Him.”
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for Cancer victims and their Caregivers. Pray for the Salvation and physical health and wellbeing of the people of the Ukraine and the Salvation of the Russian soldiers. Pray for peace so everyone can enjoy the rest and peace of Jesus.
