In Front of Jesus – Luke 5:17-26 Reflection
Most likely you know when it is time for reconciliation because we become sorrowful. The feeling of being unable to do and be more for others rises to the surface, making it uncomfortable to stand in front of Jesus. Even with a prayer-filled interior life, you may wonder how easy it is to sin against “others” that we are committed to loving. Giving and receiving forgiveness to be one within our family, friends, and strangers is not just from the heart. It also requires us to intellectually acknowledge God’s love with reverence and gratitude. If you have felt the profound gift of reverence, you know it is difficult, but you are able to resolve with God long past transgressions. Reverence can strongly call from within towards a purification process of becoming spiritually whole. To do so can mean being the opposite of a society that does not embrace forgiveness. It is worth wrestling with both human nature and forces of evil with the spiritual act of lowering ourselves in front of Jesus so we can be transformed.
He Heals the Lame by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture*
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 5:17-26 Reflection – In Front of Jesus.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 5 passage.
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