Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
1 Sm. 8:4-7, 10-22a | Ps. 21:2-7 | Mk. 2:1-12
Samuel is getting old and the people are dissatisfied. They want a king to replace him. Samuel prays and asks God for help and God responds that it is God they are rejecting not Samuel. Samuel will do as God tells him. The Gospel relates the story of a paralyzed man who is carried to Jesus to be healed. When they are unable to get inside the house because of the crowd, the men tear open the roof and lower the man through the opening. When Jesus sees the man he tells him that his sins are forgiven. Those watching Jesus who are out to get Him criticize Jesus. Jesus’ response is “Which is easier to say? Your sins are forgiven or get up, take up your mat and walk?” The scribes are once again put in place. Jesus has been able to get their goats so to speak.
Our lives belong to God. If we place our lives lovingly and trustingly in Him we will be saved from all that could harm us. What is necessary is that we believe and trust in Jesus. Take time to be with Jesus and place your trust in Him. Give time to prayer and ask for the grace to belong to Christ alone.