Jesus heals a paralyzed man lowered to him through a building’s roof in Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus forgives the man’s sins, which starts a controversy with the Jewish leaders. The paralytic says nothing, yet Jesus heals him. Do the actions of the man’s friends tell Jesus something about him? The friends of the man who was paralyzed went to much trouble for him, which signifies that they loved him.

Jesus continues to demonstrate his power over evil by healing the leper in Sunday’s Gospel. When the man found out that he was healed from leprosy, he proclaimed the awesome power of Jesus. Jesus did not only free the man from physical ailment but set him free to give witness to Christ. What hinders us from becoming free to share our faith? Do we have the strength to ask Jesus to set us totally free to serve him wholeheartedly? Ask for total liberation to follow Jesus completely.

Jesus continues his ministry of healing and preaching in this week’s Gospel. He gets his strength from his daily communion with his Father. Prayer is the first and last act of a follower of Christ. Contemplation complements action. Many get burned out because they forget how essential prayer is in their lives. Do not forget to say a prayer before, during, and after any activity.

We must always listen and watch for God’s love in our lives. Sunday’s psalm states, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” Although we all struggle at times, it is God’s love that keeps us strong. With God taking care of us we have nothing to fear. Like the call to the Israelites, we should never harden our hearts, but instead be in peace with God’s everlasting love.

The people of Nineveh were given the opportunity to reconsider their actions during Sunday’s reading. Maybe we should also take time to think about the things we do. When we consider the things we need to change in our life, it is there that we find the call to follow Christ. The disciples left their work and followed Jesus. It may not be that drastic for us, but we are called to have a greater consciousness in our mission as Christians in this world.