The change of weather is obvious because the temperature gets cooler and continues to drop. People are preparing for the winter season and checking their houses for good insulation. Sometimes we are good about external preparations, but how about our interior life? Do we prepare for it?
The first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a good reminder, not only to the people of Ephesus but for us, to live a good and honorable life. Instead of engaging in all kinds of foolishness, we must be good, merciful and grateful at all times. We need to keep today’s responsorial psalm in our hearts, “Behave like God as his very dear children.”
Jesus, in today’s gospel, presents himself as a very sensible person. He knows the needs of everyone. He never hesitates to do something good for others, unmindful of the sabbath, when the mercy of God is at stake. While He was teaching at the synagogue, He encountered a woman who was crippled by spirit for 18 years. Jesus would have had to look carefully at everyone in the congregation, hunting for the person who most needed His help; then He saw the crippled woman. Because of His empathy, Jesus freed her from her physical challenges and pain. While Jesus’ oppositionists were indignant, Jesus had decided to liberate and cure her from her illness, even during the sabbath. I certainly believe that woman’s life changed only when Jesus met her and acted with the compassion that St. Paul says, “Be kind to one another, compassionate. Forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”
I pray today, that God will continue to give me the gift of compassion for others, rather than to behave in a judgmental and condemning manner. Loving and knowing God, who has given me life, talents, and many other blessings, makes me want to use them all in service to others, I ask God to help me know how I can best serve others.
I have been raised with much love and care; thus I am grateful growing up with so many blessings. I want to pay it forward to those whose lives need love and material benefits by doing the best I can, in order to return the love to those who desperately need it.
Even though it is difficult being aware of those having less in resources, please sacrifice and spare any attainable donations. This will help others very much, but at the very least responding to these needs reflects on us being good and compassionate individuals; please give until it hurts.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa