Reflection for July 6, Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, :Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Who brought the paralytic to Jesus? 

Nobody knows because their names were not mentioned by Jesus in the gospel. Jesus knew that those who brought the paralytic to Him were very humble and not very concerned with the credit that they would receive. It was enough for them that they’ve helped this paralytic go to Jesus. 

 After they were through with their mission to bring the paralytic to Jesus they simply blended away with the multitude of people. Not concerned of their good deed and not concerned of the accolade that they could receive. 

How many of us are like those who brought the paralytic to Jesus? They were very humble, very selfless not concerned of the credit and publicity that is rightly due them.  

In our world today where we can easily publicize via social media every good deed that we do. The gospel is teaching us to be silent when we do good for the simple reason that every acts of goodness that we do in secrecy and silence is appreciated more by the Lord. 

 Let us therefore help without any expectation of something in return. Let us help without trumpeting the good deeds that we do because God is more pleased by this kind of attitude. And certainly God rewards more those who help and those who do good in silence and secrecy. 

What is your mindset when you help?– Marino J. Dasmarinas