Scripture Reflection and Prayer : Journeying together

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

DISTINCTION BETWEEN MISSION/MINISTRY AND PRIVATE MINISTRY

20230323 DISTINCTION BETWEEN MISSION/MINISTRY AND PRIVATE MINISTRY

23 March 2023, Thursday, 4th Week of Lent

Acts 13:13-25

13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem; 14 but they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:

“Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he bore with^*them in the wilderness. 19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years. 20 And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

Psalms 89:2-3, 21, 22, 25, 27

2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever,

thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.

3 Thou hast said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant:

21 so that my hand shall ever abide with him,

my arm also shall strengthen him.

22 The enemy shall not outwit him,

the wicked shall not humble him.

25 I will set his hand on the sea

and his right hand on the rivers.

27 And I will make him the first-born,

the highest of the kings of the earth.

John 13:16-20

16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant^d is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.”

DISTINCTION BETWEEN MISSION/MINISTRY AND PRIVATE MINISTRY

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Acts 13:13-25; PS 89:2-3,21,22,25,27; John 13:16-20]

Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly, whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Jesus was conscious that He was sent by the Father. He did not come on His own accord but as the Son, He was sent by the Father to do His will. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” (Jn 4:34) He knew He was sent by the Father. He did not send Himself. For this reason, whatever He said or did, it was done in the name of the Father.

In the first reading, St Paul systematically explained why Jesus is the Lord and Messiah as sent by the Father. When invited to address the assembly at the Synagogue, St Paul took pains to illustrate through the scriptures that Jesus was the man prophesied and foretold by the prophets that He would be the one to establish the Kingdom of God. Jesus was the one anointed to be that descendant of King David. “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” This promise was realized when God “raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel.'”

To be sent is to be appointed and to represent the One who sends us. Regardless whether we are missionaries or ordained ministers, the point is that the origin of mission is that we are called and sent. This is true for all ambassadors. They can only speak on behalf of the country. They do not speak in their own name. The opinions they express are not their own but what the country wants them to say. Jesus too taught in the name of His Father. To listen to Him is to listen to the Father. One who is sent does not speak in his own personal capacity. We must make a distinction between our personal opinions when we speak as individuals and when we function as servants of the Church, otherwise we will confuse people. When we are speaking in our own personal capacity, people need not agree with us. But when we speak in the name of the Church, we must be clear that we are expressing the mind and heart of the Church. We are after all, servants of the Church, not the master!

This also explains why the Church officially does not call church organizations “ministries”. The Church makes a distinction between mission or ministry and lay apostolate and private ministry. The word “ministry” refers to ordained ministry because a minister represents Christ and His Church. When we are sent by the Church, it is called a mission. When we are appointed to act on behalf of the Church, it is called a ministry. Both mission and ministry are official delegations of the Church. To be a minister is to act on behalf of the Church. He acts in the name of Christ. In fact, a priest acts in persona Christi capitis. He is a servant of the Church. As ministers and missionaries acting in the name of Christ, it means that we do not undertake what we like to do but what the Church wants us to do. In other words, we must be sent.

In the case of St Paul, he was fully aware that he was sent. Earlier on, he was called by the Lord in Damascus. “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15f) Then he was sent by the Christian community in Antioch. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2f)

We do not send or appoint ourselves! This is the mistake of many involved in mission and ministry. They choose what they like to do and what they enjoy doing. Those tasks that they do not like, they won’t do. They think mission is a hobby, a part-time distraction, a leisure activity. It is not a matter of what we like to do but of being called and sent for the work of God. When we pick and choose what we like to be involved in, we are serving ourselves, not God or the Church. It is fulfilling our personal interests and desires; not a question of responding to the call of God. That is why although many of us claim to be working for God and are involved in the mission of the Church, we are in truth practicing private ministry. We are doing our own thing. There is no commitment. When things get tough, we leave. It becomes a private ministry.

This was the case of John Mark, the deserter. We read that “Paul and his friends went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to go back to Jerusalem.” For whatever reasons, he did not see through the mission that he was appointed to do. Scholars suggest that perhaps he was afraid of the challenges of the precarious journey, or he could be missing his mother, or unhappy that his cousin, Barnabas, handed the leadership to Paul. Regardless, John Mark acted on his own impulse. It was not from the Lord. Unfortunately, this is the way most of us in ministry conduct ourselves. If things go our way, we will serve. If things do not, we abandon ship.

But because we are influenced by the Protestant churches, we tend to loosely use the word “ministry”, meaning service to church organizations. Mission or Ministry is different from private ministry or joining a church organization. Mission is a very serious calling. In private ministry or in a lay organization, we choose which one we want to serve in. Ministry in this sense is service, rather than being a “minister”. Consequently, those who join church organizations mostly join because they feel attracted to a particular organization. It is not so much that they feel called to join an organization but more out of a personal interest. They come and go as they like. Today, we join an organization freely, but if we are not happy, we can simply resign. We do not even have to give reasons and they cannot stop us from leaving as well. Not so for those in the ministry. A priest cannot just resign from his ministry. He has to apply for dispensation simply because he is an official minister appointed by the Church. It is not a matter for him to decide what he wants to do. He has to consult and discern with the Church with regard to his ministry.

Of course, having established that ministry is different from joining a lay apostolate or a church organization; it would be good that we also be guided by the basic principles of those chosen for the ordained ministry as well. We too need to also ask the question, what the Church is asking of us and what the Church needs. If we serve just to fulfil our personal desires, even though it is still an act of service, we cannot really claim that we are serving God. We are still serving our own interests and sometimes seeking personal fulfilment rather than seeking to do the will of God. True mission must come from prayer and discernment, seeking His will as to what He is asking of us for His Church. It cannot simply be because of personal interests.

For this reason also, if we are serious in fulfilling the will of God and to find confirmation that He is sending us, whether as ordained ministers or simply to serve the Church in the various lay organizations, it is done normally through the head of the community. In the local church, it is the bishop who calls. In the parish, it is the priest. Only by cooperating with the head of the community, can we be certain of God’s will. We listen to our superior or the head of the community only because he is the anointed one of God. The psalmist says, “I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.” Through dialogue and discernment with those in charge, we must be ready to submit to obedience once a decision is reached. If we cooperate with God’s grace, we will find happiness. This is what the Lord said, “Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly.”

THE FOUNDATION FOR DOING GOOD

20230322 THE FOUNDATION FOR DOING GOOD

22 March 2023, Wednesday, 4th Week of Lent

First reading

Isaiah 49:8-15 ©

On the day of salvation I will help you

Thus says the Lord:

At the favourable time I will answer you,

on the day of salvation I will help you.

(I have formed you and have appointed you

as covenant of the people.)

I will restore the land

and assign you the estates that lie waste.

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out’,

to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’

On every roadway they will graze,

and each bare height shall be their pasture.

They will never hunger or thirst,

scorching wind and sun shall never plague them;

for he who pities them will lead them

and guide them to springs of water.

I will make a highway of all the mountains,

and the high roads shall be banked up.

Some are on their way from afar,

others from the north and the west,

others from the land of Sinim.

Shout for joy, you heavens; exult, you earth!

You mountains, break into happy cries!

For the Lord consoles his people

and takes pity on those who are afflicted.

For Zion was saying, ‘The Lord has abandoned me,

the Lord has forgotten me.’

Does a woman forget her baby at the breast,

or fail to cherish the son of her womb?

Yet even if these forget,

I will never forget you.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 144(145):8-9,13b-14,17-18 ©

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

How good is the Lord to all,

compassionate to all his creatures.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

The Lord is faithful in all his words

and loving in all his deeds.

The Lord supports all who fall

and raises all who are bowed down.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

The Lord is just in all his ways

and loving in all his deeds.

He is close to all who call him,

who call on him from their hearts.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

Gospel Acclamation

Jn3:16

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son:

everyone who believes in him has eternal life.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Or:

Jn11:25, 26

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;

whoever believes in me will never die.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel

John 5:17-30 ©

The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live

Jesus said to the Jews, ‘My Father goes on working, and so do I.’ But that only made them even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal.

To this accusation Jesus replied:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

the Son can do nothing by himself;

he can do only what he sees the Father doing:

and whatever the Father does the Son does too.

For the Father loves the Son

and shows him everything he does himself,

and he will show him even greater things than these,

works that will astonish you.

Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,

so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses;

for the Father judges no one;

he has entrusted all judgement to the Son,

so that all may honour the Son

as they honour the Father.

Whoever refuses honour to the Son

refuses honour to the Father who sent him.

I tell you most solemnly,

whoever listens to my words,

and believes in the one who sent me,

has eternal life;

without being brought to judgement

he has passed from death to life.

I tell you most solemnly,

the hour will come – in fact it is here already –

when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,

and all who hear it will live.

For the Father, who is the source of life,

has made the Son the source of life;

and, because he is the Son of Man,

has appointed him supreme judge.

Do not be surprised at this,

for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves

at the sound of his voice:

those who did good will rise again to life;

and those who did evil, to condemnation.

I can do nothing by myself;

I can only judge as I am told to judge,

and my judging is just,

because my aim is to do not my own will,

but the will of him who sent me.’

THE FOUNDATION FOR DOING GOOD

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9,13-14,17-18; Jn 5:17-30]

Today, the liturgy continues with the theme of joy in expectation of the feast of the resurrection, albeit in the shadow of hostility and death. “Shout for joy, you heavens; earth, exult! Mountains, break into joyful cries! For Yahweh has consoled his people, is taking pity on his afflicted ones.” In the first reading, we read the consoling words of the Lord to the Israelites who felt forsaken and abandoned in their exile at Babylon, “Can a woman forget her baby at the breast; feel no pity for the child she has borne? Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you.” On the day of salvation, the Lord would restore Israel. “Along the roadway they will graze, and any bare height will be their pasture. They will never hunger or thirst, scorching wind and sun will never plague them; for he who pities them will lead them, will guide them to springs of water. I shall turn all my mountains into a road and my highways will be raised aloft.”

This promise of the Lord of course was fulfilled in Jesus who is the Suffering Servant prophesied in the first reading. The words spoken to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah aptly applies to Jesus when God said, “I have formed you and have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land, to return ravaged properties, to say to prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.'” In the last few days, the gospel narrated how Jesus manifested Himself as a life-giver. He told the story of the Prodigal Son and the mercy of His Father whom He sought to imitate. He said, “I tell you most solemnly, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: and whatever the Father does the Son does too.”

The works of Jesus was done in union with the Father. He said, “My father goes on working, and so do I.” So like the Father, Jesus gave life to the Court Official’s son who was on the brink of death. Yesterday, we read how Jesus healed the paralyzed man and forgave his sins. This is justified by the fact that “the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does himself, and he will show him even greater things than these, works that will astonish you. Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses.” The authority and powers of Jesus to heal, raise and forgive were given by the Father. Jesus saw Himself as acting on His behalf.

On this basis, Jesus claimed identification with the Father! And the Jews knew what He was implying. “That only made the Jews even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the Sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal.” By healing on the Sabbath and giving the basis for doing good works of mercy on the Sabbath, in imitation of His Father, Jesus was making implicit claims that He was God. They were fully aware that Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of Man mentioned in the Book of Daniel, chapter 7. The miracles He performed were messianic signs, especially the raising of the dead, curing the lame and giving sight to the blind. He was thus seen as making a blasphemous claim to be the Son of God.

Secondly, He claimed to speak the Word of God. He said, “I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; I tell you most solemnly, the hour will come – in fact it is here already – when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live.” He is the Word of God in person. If He were to speak God’s words, then it means that one has to believe in Him and all that He said. It means that we need to accept Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life. Only by accepting Jesus, can we find life, not just life after death but life on this earth. In following the path that Jesus set out for us, the way of love and humble service, in obedience to the Father’s will, in everything, we will live the fullness of life. Hence, for such a person, “without being brought to judgement he has passed from death to life.”

Thirdly, Jesus claimed to be the Judge as well, a position reserved for the Father. He said, “For the Father, who is the source of life, has made the Son the source of life; and, because he is the Son of Man, has appointed him supreme judge. Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graces at the sound of his voice: those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation. I can do nothing by myself: I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just.” Jesus could judge only because He is holy and perfect like the Father. Because He is the Word of God, He could judge with full knowledge and understanding. He judges with love and compassion, as the psalmist says. “The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures.” So the judgement of Jesus is founded on truth, love and compassion. In speaking of Himself as the judge, He takes the place of God.

How could Jesus dare to make such claims of divinity and authority to act on behalf of the Father? How could He be so confident and courageous to make such claims at the risk of courting death? How is it that He was not afraid of being misunderstood, condemned or opposed? How do we explain the confidence in Jesus if not because of His intimate relationship with the Father?

This identity with the Father is based on a mutual union between the Father and the Son. This union with the Father must be seen as a union of mind and heart. Jesus performed everything in union with the Father, based on the union of mind and will. Jesus would not do anything except in alignment with the Father’s will. He reiterated, “I can do nothing by myself: I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” Jesus’ obedience to the Father was not a reluctant obedience or simply a submission of will. Rather, His obedience was the consequence of a union of will and love. As Jesus said to the disciples, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” (Jn 4:34) Jesus loved His Father because of His Father’s love for Him. He lived and died for His Father. He said, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” (Jn 10:17f)

What about us? What is the basis for our good works? What is the basis for living a life of love and truth? Is it based on purely humanitarian reasons, simply because we feel the sufferings of our fellowmen or because of moral obligation to contribute to society because we have been beneficiaries? In truth, many of us do good out of guilt, or at most out of responsibility because of our conscience. Of course, some do out of love for their fellowmen but many help because of fear of condemnation or at least to gain respect and honour from the world.

In the case of Jesus, His good works came from His identification with the compassion and love of His Father. His union with the Father was the cause of His mission to humanity. As the psalmist says, “The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.” So it was out of the love of the Father in Him that He went about doing good so that the Father could be seen through Him. This too must also be the source of our strength in doing good. We must not be like the pagans. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:46-48)

So today, we need to return to the ancient times when Catechumens were instructed more intensely during this time. At this mass, salt would be placed in their mouths so that they would receive the Word of God and be the salt of the earth. They too would be given the creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Four Gospels so that they will become more identified with the Lord in how they live their lives. For those of us who are baptized, let us renew our appreciation for the love of God in Christ as we contemplate on His passion. We must come to know the identity of Jesus more and more so that we can truly be identified with Him in mind and in heart as Jesus is with the Father.

Monday, 20 March 2023

DO YOU WANT TO BE WELL AGAIN?

20230321 DO YOU WANT TO BE WELL AGAIN?

21 March 2023, Tuesday, 4th Week of Lent

First reading

Wherever the water flows, it will bring life and health

The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side. The man went to the east holding his measuring line and measured off a thousand cubits; he then made me wade across the stream; the water reached my ankles. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across the stream again; the water reached my knees. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across again; the water reached my waist. He measured off another thousand; it was now a river which I could not cross; the stream had swollen and was now deep water, a river impossible to cross. He then said, ‘Do you see, son of man?’ He took me further, then brought me back to the bank of the river. When I got back, there were many trees on each bank of the river. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

God is for us a refuge and strength,

a helper close at hand, in time of distress,

so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,

though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea.

The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within, it cannot be shaken;

God will help it at the dawning of the day.

The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

The Lord of hosts is with us:

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, consider the works of the Lord,

the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Gospel Acclamation

Ps50:12,14

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

A pure heart create for me, O God,

and give me again the joy of your help.

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel

The healing at the pool of Bethesda

There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’ The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and walked away.

Now that day happened to be the sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.’ He replied, ‘But the man who cured me told me, “Pick up your mat and walk.”’ They asked, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Pick up your mat and walk”?’ The man had no idea who it was, since Jesus had disappeared into the crowd that filled the place. After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, ‘Now you are well again, be sure not to sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.’ The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had cured him. It was because he did things like this on the sabbath that the Jews began to persecute Jesus.

DO YOU WANT TO BE WELL AGAIN?

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [EZEKIEL 47:1-9,12; PS 46:2-3,5-6,8-9; JOHN 5:1-16]

We are all in need of healing. We are all sick physically and wounded in different ways. We are broken emotionally and psychologically. Some of us are paralyzed spiritually by our bondage to sin, addiction to drugs, drink, smoking, bad habits and irregular relationships. Most of all, those suffering from rare illnesses or terminal sicknesses cannot find cure, even with the best medical facilities in the world. So it is not surprising that at a Jewish festival in Jerusalem, Jesus was surrounded by the sick. “Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralyzed.”

It is significant that the building is named “Bethzatha”, which means “House of mercy.” We are all in need of mercy. Many of us long for mercy, but mercy never came. Some of us are like the paralyzed man who waited almost a lifetime for someone to help him to receive God’s mercy. But he never had a chance, for he said, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.” We too could be in the same situation as this man. Something always gets in the way of our healing. For 38 years he waited, but he never gave up hope. Such was the perseverance of this man. How many of us would wait so long for God’s mercy? Most of us would have given up. But this man waited and waited for the time to come. Indeed, God comes to those who wait on Him. This is what the prophet says, “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa 40:31)

The scriptures tell us that the Lord comes to heal us. The question is, “Do you want to be well again?” This is an important question. Many of us, like the man, do not understand the full import of Jesus’ question. Like him, we are thinking of physical cure or short-term healing. He was more concerned, like all of us who are sick, with solving the problem, for he said; “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.” Most of us are concerned with short-term goals and immediate gratification of our needs.

But Jesus is more interested in granting us full healing of mind, body and spirit. Not only that, the healing that Jesus comes to give is permanent. When Jesus met him again, He warned him, “Now you are well again, be sure not to sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.” Clearly, the real healing that is needed is more the restoration of the soul. What we need is peace in our hearts through forgiveness and reconciliation. Many of our illnesses are caused by the failure to live an upright life. This man sought physical health. We do not realize that man is constituted of body and spirit. If the body is sick, the mind and spirit will also be sick. If the mind and spirit are sick, the body will also fall ill. Like him, so many desire only physical restoration, but we do not take care of our other needs. That is why Jesus warned him that he might be physically able to walk, but his spiritual health was even more important. The healing happened for him so that he could come to know God who alone can give life. What he needed most was to live a life without sin, a life that was free from selfish ambition, vices and self. Otherwise, even with physical health, he would not be happy. Some sick people with terminal illness are more at peace than those of us who are supposedly healthy but are full of anger, resentment, discontentment and hostile competition for power, wealth and power. So if we do not repent of our sins out of true reverence and love for God, at least the thought of hurting ourselves and/or our loved ones even more, should motivate us to avoid sin and self-destruction.

Within this context, the sacrament of baptism is for the full restoration of the human person. One is made a new creation. It must be noted that the Sheep Pool is a symbol of the Baptismal font for the catechumens. In entering the water, they are cleansed, renewed and restored. This is in fulfilment of the first reading when we read of the water of Arabah giving life to the Israelites. They were in exile and their temple was destroyed. They lost all hope and meaning in life. But the prophet assured them that the water would once again flow from the temple and become a river that gave life to every creature and plant. Once again, the land would be fertile and there would be life again. So too when we are baptized, we will be renewed with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Whereas the pool of Bethzatha only gave physical healing, baptism heals the soul through the Holy Spirit. Unlike the pool which could cure only one person each time, baptism cures all humanity purchased by the blood of Christ. It brings about the forgiveness of sins and the person is healed at its very core. He is given new life, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit.

But baptism alone is not sufficient. Many are baptized but they do not grow in faith and most of all, in discipleship. True healing means coming to know Jesus. The man who was healed never bothered to find out the source of his healing. He took his healing for granted. So, too, when we are graced by God, be it in passing an exam, successfully finishing a project or cured of an illness, many of us never truly give thanks to God and reflect for ourselves what this means to us in terms of faith and life. It is important to know that we depend on God and He is our everything. Humility before God keeps us in our place so that none of us can become too arrogant or independent.

If we know that life and healing belong to God, then we should be seeking to know Jesus more and more so that we can live like Him. Many seek baptism, but do not like living the life of Christ. Baptism, just like confession, is not a matter of washing away our sins. It is not like going to a spiritual laundry. Baptism and confession entail a real desire to turn away from sin and our idols to follow Christ our Lord. Merely going through the ritual will not save us. Rather, we must draw near to Christ each day. We must come to the living water and draw life from Him, like the Samaritan woman. The prophet assures us that “Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. They will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.”

Furthermore, like the psalmist, in our struggle against sin, let us remember that “the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” This is because “God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day. Come, consider the works of the Lord the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.” Alone, we cannot overcome the temptations of the Evil One, but since our baptism incorporates us into the body of Christ, with Him as our head, we can win the battle against sin and evil. We must allow God’s mercy and power to give us the strength to continue this fight against sin.

So all that is left now is for us to decide whether we want to allow God’s grace to work in and through us. If Jesus could give strength to a hopeless paralyzed man, surely, He can give hope to all of us. But we must “get up and walk”. We must cooperate with His grace. He wants to free us from the power of sin and death, but not without our consent. If we do not want to change and instead give excuses, like the man that no one helped him, then nothing is going to happen. God has sent many people and prophets to us. He has given us this season of Lent to come to self-awareness and repentance. If we are serious about getting well again, then we need to get up and start walking towards Jesus. Observing the Sabbath does not mean doing nothing, as what the religious leaders thought and taught. Observing the Sabbath means to continue doing good, giving life and acting for God every moment of our lives. So do not delay any longer. No more lame excuses. Go to Jesus for healing now, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or say ‘yes’ to Jesus in the Sacrament of Baptism.