Word to the Wise
Monday, December 10, 2012 - 2nd Week of Advent - Mon
[Isa 35:1-10 and Luke 5:17-26]Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing!
Isaiah's vision of the day of the Lord speaks of restoration for the blind, the deaf, the lame and the mute! Perhaps this is what inspired the stretcher-bearers in the gospel scripture for today. They bring their friend on a stretcher to Jesus and show considerable ingenuity by taking him up on the roof, tearing off tiles and lowering their friend down into the room. It must have caused quite a sensation! Jesus first looks to the faith of the friends before he speaks to the paralytic. It is this faith that brings about the healing! "When Jesus saw THEIR faith....."
These men "put skin on" their faith. Even if they had never met Jesus, they showed discipleship in its finest moment! I have spoken here about the way in which this season strikes people hard who are vulnerable because of losses or disabilities. They need a caring response. We who are baptized are challenged to find ways of making healing possible. It may require ingenuity since there are crowds or roof tiles that can be obstacles! However, it is important to know that Jesus sees OUR faith and that this can work miracles! Advent discipleship can be subtle or dramatic. It just needs folks to "put skin on it." AMEN
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