12 March 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections
#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist
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TOPIC: WHAT AREAS OF MY LIFE DO I NEED TO SURRENDER TO GOD SO THAT I MAY EXPERIENCE HIS HEALING?
First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Verse Before the Gospel: Psalms 51: 12a, 14a
Gospel: John 5: 1-16
Our gospel today reminds us that Christ's healing goes beyond boundaries, as evidenced by His taking the initial step to approach a man near the pool of Bethesda. The pool of Bethesda was believed to have the capacity to heal sickness, but only if one was quick enough to get into it at the exact moment that the water is stirred. The man, being a paralytic, was not quick enough and no one helped him to go into the pool to get healed. It was Jesus who approached him and offered healing, even though it was the Sabbath when Jewish law prohibits any work, including the works of healing.
Indeed, Christ’s love and mercy goes beyond time and place! Place and schedule are not requirements for Him to perform healing. He only needs to see a heart that desires healing and with great faith that He can and will do it. However, Jesus gave the healed paralytic one important reminder - to sin no more.
Jesus reminds us that being healed requires internal disposition ⏤ our commitment to live a life of holiness, a life of obedience to God. When our decisions and dealings are not aligned with God’s will, we may experience physical illness, unnecessary emotional stress, or relationship disorders.
This is the 1415th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.
[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Lawrence Quintero, a member of the CFC International Council, as he brings us today's reflection.
All the
