Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48:
Genesis 15:1-11 and17-21; Hebrews 9:1 to14; John 5:1 to 18
“One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’” (John 5: 5 and 6)
Our human minds are so adaptable. This adaptability is also adjustable. We can train our minds, our muscle memory, and even the foods we like to taste, to like and appreciate differences. The downside is, however, that we can allow our circumstances to dictate our comfort. The man at the Sheep-Gate pool fell into this situation. He was comfortable in his crippled state of being and even made up excuses that supported his lack of willingness to even try to do better. Jesus asks him (and us), “Do you want to be made well?”
We must want to be made well. It means never giving up and never creating excuses that give us false reasons for why we can’t do better. Today many of us hide behind limited physical ability that we never try to improve. I have seen some young persons with missing limbs participate in competitive sports like swimming and basketball and baseball, and they thrive!
Some of us try to use race or gender or orientation as reasons we aren’t good enough or accepted in certain associations. If these kind of reasons hold us back then we should start mew and more inclusive organizations that better align with the will of God for who God made us to be.
Speaking a different language, being born in another country, missing limbs, dark skin or same sex love notwithstanding, we must stand up and walk. Sometimes that walk also means cutting a new trail. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 
I agree wholeheartedly with getting up and walking towards one’s goal, no matter what the circumstances. I have always wanted to get my doctorate. Circumstances were such that I didn’t start on my doctorate untilcI was 55 years old. People thought I was nuts to get a degree at that age, but to me age is just a number.. They said, ” But you won’t be done until you’re at least 60!” My response was always, “So? Even if I don’t do it, I’ll be in my 60s anyway.” I have end-stage renal (kidney) disease, which requires me to be on dialysis 3x per week. However, that does not stop me from participating in life. I travel by making arrangements to get dialysis at my travel destination. Because I had to do a 1-month stint in the hospital, followed by a 3-month stint in rehab, followed by a few months of at-home recovery, Ihospital, I had to give up the brand-new car that I bought because I couldn’t work any more and make my car payments. That meant relying on friends who were nearby since my closest family lived over 3 hours away. These friends stepped up to help me by transporting me to dialysis, to doctor’s appointments, to church. They lent me money. They brought me food. They checked in on me by phone. I wanted to be healed, to get back to participating in life. At that time relying on friends was the way to my healing. Now that I no longer need to rely on my friends for those necessities I am able to some extent to give back to others. I’ve started back working on my doctorate since my school graciously allowed me to continue, even though I was well past the time alloted when I was supposed to finish it. I’ve also decided to answer God’s call to continue my life of service as a vocational deacon. God has been in the midst of all that has happened to me. Despite hardships I thank God every day for yet another chance at living my life. You’re right — there is no excuse as to why a person doesn’t make their way in the world, doesn’t get healed.The secret is that they have to want it. God is always there to help.
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