Reflections
Psalm 41: 2-3, 4-5, 13-14
This psalm of David may apply
to each one of us at some point in our lives.
We too have our moments
when we feel down, “lowly and poor,” as the psalm says.
We can’t always depend on our neighbors
or even our families to lift us up, or make our burdens light.
Where do we turn for mercy at times like these?
We turn to the Lord.
Who else can we turn to when we are in the pit and our
fellow human beings turn the other way?
The Psalm says, “the Lord will keep and preserve us,”
he will deliver us.
“The Lord sustains us on our sickbed.”
And who do we turn to for the forgiveness of sins,
which is the first step to spiritual and physical recovery?
We turn to the Lord.
Who else stands ready to forgive our sins?
As Isaiah says in our 1st reading,
the Lord “remembers our sins no more.”
In the psalm David appeals to the Lord for mercy –
“Lord have pity on me,
heal me, I have sinned against you.”
For us, our appeal is to our savior, Jesus,
who will do for us what he did for the paralytic
in this week’s Gospel -- heal us physically and spiritually.
And having received that grace from our Lord,
as the psalm says, we will want to
“stand in his presence forever.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm speaks about the need for healing
when one has sinned against the Lord. Our psalmist says
the Lord will help the sinner on his sickbed. Do you believe
that being in a state of sin is the same as being afflicted with a sickness?
If so, who is the physician that will take away your ailment
and how do you get him to cure you?
2. Our psalmist seeks to stand in the Lord's presence forever.
He also suggests that he will be restored from his misfortune
because of his regard for the weak and the lowly.
Does this remind you of the regard that our savior Jesus
also had for the weak. What do you have to do to be able
to stand in the Lord's presence for all eternity?
1. When we are in a state of sin, we are tainted and handicapped from living to our full potential -- just as we are when sick. This is true both physically and mentally. The Ultimate Physician is the Lord Himself. He cures us the moment we find the humility to confess our sins. What a wonderful gift that we can be healed completely... EVERY time! The prescription for the illness of sin is simple: turn to the Lord in confession and repentance. I believe the Sacrament of Reconciliation helps to make that healing final, though one can receive healing through direct prayer as well.
ReplyDelete2. We are instructed throughout the Bible to care for the "weak, poor and needy". God wants us to be generous with them to model His spirit of unconditional love and generosity. Who are these weak amongst us? Not necessarily the materially poor, but also those who are in spiritual poverty. A sad friend. A lonely senior citizen. A recent divorcee. We must reach out and share our gifts whether they be hospitality, a joyful spirit, money, or even energy.
I beleive that sin is a turn away from Jesus. And in order for me to be right again I need to go to confession and be healed by Jesus. 2. It is our mission to help those less fortunate, we need to always consider our own resources on how to accomplish this. Feed the poor, clothe the poor, make a friend, be a friend tale that friend to Christ. From Cursilllo thoughts.
ReplyDelete1. I believe that sin is a turn away from Jesus. And in order for me to be right again I need to go to confession and be healed by Jesus.
ReplyDelete2. It is our mission to help those less fortunate, we need to always consider our own resources on how to accomplish this. Feed the poor, clothe the poor, make a friend, be a friend, take that friend to Christ.
1. We are all afflicted with a sickness that comes from the chain of sins that bind us up and enslave us. But, if we admit our sins humbly and confess our sins with a contrite heart and ask for God' forgiveness, we'll receive his Grace through the sacrament of confession. 1 John 1: 9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. " It is Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Our physician, who can cleanse our heart and heal us within. His Mercy will strengthen us. His transforming power is working on us and in us. Praise the Lord for protecting us and preserving our life.
ReplyDelete2. Since we know God cares for the weak, poor and needy, lonely and sick, and also he wants us to share his love, we should bless others with generosity and care for them with a compassionate heart. The Bible says, "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me."
When we are sick with sin, God lifts us up and heals us.
ReplyDeleteI relate this to ballet. When I am sick with sin, it means that I didn't do 12 fouette turns. When I am seeking for help, I pray to the Lord or, ask for help from my ballet teacher. I sometimes see angels in my dance studio. When I was having a really bad ballet class, I saw an angel with white wings and red hair look back at me and smile. That is when I knew God is always with me and ready to heal me from the sin sickness. God will always be with me wherever I go. He is always there with his tools ready to heal the sin sickness.
ReplyDeleteI also relate this with school as well. Whenever I am taking a hard test or quiz, I always ask for the Lord's brain and not the guy-down-below's brain. I ask for the Lord to help me and I end up doing really well on the test. The Lord has then healed me from the sickness.
ReplyDeleteI relate this to ballet. When I am sick with sin, it means that I didn't do 12 fouette turns. When I am seeking for help, I pray to the Lord or, ask for help from my ballet teacher. I sometimes see angels in my dance studio. When I was having a really bad ballet class, I saw an angel with white wings and red hair look back at me and smile. That is when I knew God is always with me and ready to heal me from the sin sickness. God will always be with me wherever I go. He is always there with his tools ready to heal the sin sickness.
ReplyDeleteI also relate this with school as well. Whenever I am taking a hard test or quiz, I always ask for the Lord's brain and not the guy-down-below's brain. I ask for the Lord to help me and I end up doing really well on the test. The Lord has then healed me from the sickness.
ReplyDelete