Seventh Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe readings of this Sunday could not have a deeper meaning for Catholics as we examine the events of our government and mandates which threaten our freedom of religion. St. Paul speaks to the Corinthians, telling them of the faithfulness of God’s promise to them, as exemplified by Christ. Christ’s ‘Yes’ in following the Will of the Father led Him to the Cross—but ultimately to the victory over sin and death for all who believe.
In Mark’s Gospel we hear the familiar story of the paralytic, whose friends were so desperate for him to experience an encounter with Jesus in hopes of being healed they lowered him through roof of the home where the Lord was so as to encounter Him. When Jesus cures the man’s sins, Scribes in the crowd begin to accuse the Lord (among themselves) of blasphemy, for only God can forgive sins. Addressing the Scribes’ insinuations, Jesus then cures the paralytic of his physical affliction, telling him to “Rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” Those in the crowd are astounded and glorify God.
The words of the prophet Isaiah from the first reading were a warning for the people of his time, Christ’s time, and I daresay, for today as well:
Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, for you grew weary of me, O Israel.
You burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes.
It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.
How are we like the people of Isaiah’s time? Have we placed our trust in God or have we abandoned Him in order to strike out on our own—becoming a nation who has lost its center, who is God? Have we become so paralyzed with sin as a country that we can no longer walk as a child of God? Have we become so desensitized to what is morally right and good that our own wants and needs are our only compass?
I have been reading blog responses on some of the national news sites regarding the Health and Human Service mandate requiring religious institutions to provide health care for employees. The voice of the Catholic Bishops of this country has been strong and clear. This is not solely an issue about forcing faith based companies to provide health insurance coverage for birth control or abortion to their employees, as the media would like us to think, but is more importantly a battle focusing on our First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, secured by our forefathers in the founding of this nation, affecting every single American citizen.
The response to these actions by God-fearing people is night and day different from those who, by very proof of their comments, are motivated by self-interest and very little to no understanding of the history of this country, the founding documents on which we stand, or belief in God. Sad to say, fewer and fewer in this country believe in God, let alone participate in a religious community of faith.
If there was ever a time to evangelize, now would be it! If we are a nation that places our trust in God, then we must fervently pray that He will give us the words to draw all to an understanding of the saving power of Christ. Despite statistics that may say otherwise—people are desperately seeking peace and happiness. We have the answer and it is not going to be delivered through a government program or policy!
Let us beg for God’s mercy for any part we played in contributing the culture of death that we are in, and as we move into the penitential season of Lent, reflect on ways that we can be beacons of hope and light in a world mired deep in darkness and sin.
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