From the Gospel according toMatthew 9:1–8
We must continually give thanks to God for the gift of faith, a wonderful gift that comes from Him and one that we must continually nourish. In this passage, the Lord shows us how we are to live out our faith: sometimes as those who carry the stretcher, bringing our friends to the Lord, and at other times as the paralysed man, allowing ourselves to be carried to God so that we may receive His forgiveness. Through the Sacrament of Marriage, spouses are called to strengthen their faith by looking into the heart of their husband or wife, acting as stretcher-bearers whenever our spouse is in need, and also by allowing ourselves to be helped whenever we are paralysed by our own sin, letting our spouse bring us closer to the Lord. Our vocation calls us to see Christ continually in our spouse and to respond as God asks of us, attentive to what is in their heart and always ready to give ourselves completely and to receive them with love. Sin paralyses the soul because it causes us to lose the grace of God and prevents us from doing many good things. A paralysed soul cannot properly direct the body, and although the body is temporary, it can lead us away from God. What use is a healthy body if the soul is paralysed? May we never grow weary of seeking the grace of God’s forgiveness, always ready to carry our spouse on a stretcher if necessary, giving our lives to help bring them closer to God.
Paul: Your brother called me, furious about the conversation we had yesterday during lunch with your family. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone can deal with them. I’m tired of them always picking on me, and then when I defend myself, somehow they’re the ones who are offended.
Martha: There you go again, always criticising my family whenever you get the chance and throwing it back at me.
Paul: That’s not true, and you know it. I always make an effort, and it never seems to make any difference. You see? However hard I try, you always take their side without even knowing what we talked about.
Martha: You’re right. I criticised you and judged you before even asking why my brother was upset. I did notice something yesterday, but I was more focused on my parents and assumed it wasn’t important.
Paul: To be honest, it wasn’t that important. But you know what your brother’s like. I know that in the past I would have looked for any excuse to criticise your family, but although I still find it difficult sometimes, I really do make an effort now.
Martha: Forgive me for becoming defensive without knowing what had happened. Shall we go to Confession together and let the Lord free our souls from this?
Paul: Go to Confession? It really wasn’t that serious. Besides, I only went a little over two weeks ago, and I don’t have that much to confess.
Martha: Sometimes I think the same, that I can wait. But the grace of Confession helps me to see more clearly into your heart, to recognise what is there and how hard you’re trying in the areas where you struggle most.
Paul: This time you’re the one who’s right. I’ll come with you, and while I’m there I’ll go to Confession too. It always does me so much good. It helps me become a better man, and it’s also an opportunity to thank God for how much you help me to grow closer to Him.
Mother,
Show us, as husbands and wives, what lies within our hearts, so that we may help one another to be healed. May our faith lead us to complete abandonment in God, always trusting in the healing that comes through the sacraments.
Blessed and praised be God.