Feast of St. Ambrose
Readings: Is. 35:1-10 | Ps. 85:9-14 | Lk. 5:17-26
Isaiah preaches incredible things about the day of the Lord. He sings a song of hope and encouragement for all who are awaiting the coming of the Messiah. He tells us that the way of the Lord is a highway for those with a journey to make. Those who are on the journey are those whom the Lord has ransomed. This is certainly a great backdrop for the Gospel story of the paralyzed man. He was on a journey to God. He travels this road with the help of his friends who are so intent on this journey that they climb the roof of the house, open it, and lower the man to Jesus. The man is healed by Jesus when He says: “ My friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and Scribes are not on this path toward God. They are more interested in themselves and obsessed with destroying Jesus in the process. Thus, they do not even recognize Jesus in their midst.
We are living in the day of the Lord. The highway to God has been opened to us. What is required is a heart opened to hear the Word of God spoken to us and to accept that Word and respond to it. Pause to reflect on these readings. How is God calling you? Will you travel the highway to God?