Our Main Sponsor

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

STRETCHER-BEARERS - One Bread, One Body, 06/30/2022

Thursday, June 30, 2022, First Martyrs of Rome

Amos 7:10-17
Psalm 19:8-11
Matthew 9:1-8
View Readings

STRETCHER-BEARERS
"There the people at once brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith..." —Matthew 9:2

Some “stretcher-bearers” carried to Jesus a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw the faith of the stretcher-bearers, He said to the paralyzed man, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9:2). 
Jesus cannot resist a prayer that comes to Him in faith (see Mt 8:10-13; 15:27-28). Today’s Gospel does not even record any words of the stretcher-bearers. They simply carried the paralytic to Jesus. However, the text of this passage records that what triggered Jesus’ healing action was the moment when He saw the faith of the stretcher-bearers (Mt 9:2). Then Jesus exceeded the faith of the stretcher-bearers. He not only healed the paralytic, but even forgave the man’s sins! (Mt 9:2) Jesus does far more than we ask Him (Eph 3:20). 
Perhaps you struggle in speaking or writing. You can still bring people to Jesus, like today’s stretcher-bearers. You may need to break through walls, or even roofs (Mk 2:4; Lk 5:19). But do not lose heart. Keep bringing people who are spiritually or physically paralyzed to Jesus in prayer. Bring your loved ones to Jesus. Find other stretcher-bearers with whom you can carry people to Jesus. Bring them in (see Lk 14:23).



Prayer: Jesus, like St, Andrew, may I spend the rest of my life bringing people to You (Jn 1:40-42; 6:8-9; 12:21-22).

Promise: "The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye." —Ps 19:9

Praise: Roman Emperors from Nero to Diocletian brashly tried to snuff out Christianity. Through the power of Jesus' Resurrection, the First Martyrs of Rome proved "God's folly is wiser than men" (1 Cor 1:25).

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 18, 2021"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

No comments:

Post a Comment