Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Friends

Image result for four friends and the paralytic
On this Tuesday in the 7th week after Pentecost, we hear from the Gospel according to Mark.  It is a story of the great faith of a paralyzed man’s friends:
 
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’  (Mk. 2:1-12).
 
A man had four friends, four friends who wanted to see their friend healed of his paralysis, four friends who had great faith that if they only could place their friend in front of Jesus, Jesus would heal him.  A man had four friends who carried their paralyzed friend up to the roof of the house where Jesus was; four friends who made a hole in the roof so they could lower their paralyzed friend into the room where Jesus was.  Four friends who believed; four friends whose faith was seen by Jesus who was moved to utter the healing words of forgiveness.  A man had four friends who walked home with him as they never had before.
 
Let us pray:  Gracious God and Father, we want to thank You for giving friends who truly love You and who want to know and love us more each day! We thank you for providing us with friends who hold us up in times of trial, who that hold us accountable in our walk with You. Amen
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Seaside Seniors this Thursday at 11:00 AM in Sutton Hall.
 
CHILDREN'S SUMMER ART CAMP: “SPORTS AND THE ART OF DESIGN” starting Monday, 20 July through Friday, 24 July 2015, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. In the Art Room, lunch provided. Learn to design your own Board Game, Team Logo, and Game Rules! All children through high school welcome!
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Pat, Annette, Shalea, Marilyn, new parents and their newly born babies, and those who have no one to pray for them.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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