One of two Eucharistic Gospel Readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year C
From John 5:1-9
“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 5:6)
For this man, over 2000 years ago, as well as for us today, this is a serious question. Do we want to be made well?
Being made well first requires us to know that we are not well, and then want to be made well. We fall short. We can’t do the right thing as we should. We need help.
Today many of us still suffer from physical, psychological and spiritual ailments. And for many, even our most advanced technological medicines and treatments fall short of a cure. But our Lord Jesus may still find a way to comfort us through our faith. The spiritual path is not one accessed through science or technology; but through prayer and faith. We first must personally realize that we need divine intervention. Jesus didn’t even use the healing waters that all were rushing to. Jesus was, and is, the healing waters.
Like the man in our Gospel, we so often want to blame others for our inability to do for ourselves. The sick man answered Jesus saying, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” How many times do we hear, at many levels, that some policy or procedure prevented me from achieving success? We use race, gender, sexual orientation, language, national origin, criminal past and other excuses to satisfy our comfort of not trying to make it. No matter what, we should go to the Lord, and with our Lord, spiritually stand up, take up our mat and walk.
It is only when someone who has given-in to any form of addiction, and finally wants help, that such a person seeks real help. Wanting help is, wanting to be made well. Jesus helps. Jesus helps through any of many rehabilitation programs, but mainly, through faith. Jesus said to him, and to us today “Stand up, take our mat and walk.”
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (For the Sixth Sunday of Easter BCP p. 225)
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 