In the Old Testament
reading for today, we see the immeasurable breadth of God’s power.
He created everything on earth and supplies our every need. As spring begins we see life bursting forth
around us; trees beginning to bud, birds singing and building nests, flowers
opening and sharing their radiant beauty.
In all of this we find what we need to live, to survive physically from
one day to the next. The sun and rain
that nurtures our food, plants from which we get medicine, the wood and other
raw materials to build homes, roads, schools, churches, the intellect to use
all that God has provided to survive and even thrive.
And yet, despite of all
of the beauty and perfection given to mankind, Adam and Eve gave in to the
temptation of sin and brought about The Fall. Everything that GOD created was good, but sin brings pain and suffering
into the world. We are like the sick man
sitting near the waters of Bethesda in today’s gospel. We want to be well, forgiven from our sins,
but we have no one to help us enter the healing waters. But God shows us his immeasurable love and mercy, sending us Jesus, to heal us from our sins and to help “keep
us on the road to heaven”. The healing
waters of baptism, the gift of the Eucharist, the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit, the sacrament of Reconciliation… gifts from God to guide us back where
we belong. With Him.
Today, be conscious of
God’s grace. Share God’s love and mercy
with those you meet, remembering that without HIS love and forgiveness, we
would be nothing. From the old French prayer book, Gold Dust: “How few there are who would thus dare to
address God each night: “Lord, deal with me tomorrow as I have this
day dealt with others;… those to whom I was harsh, and from malice, or to
show my own superiority, exposed their failings; others, to whom from pride or
dislike, I refused to speak; I will not forgive,--to whom I will not show any
kindness.” Thank you God for not giving me what I deserve. Thank you for saving me.
--Melinda Cannady,
convert (2011), wife, and mother of two precious little saintmakers.
