Sunday of the Paralytic Man (2)

Mothers Day

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian; Our Venerable Father Arsenius the Great

Ambon Prayer 69 or (optional) 74

Title

Rise and Proclaim the Gospel

Outline

Today is Mother’s Day, and so we do note

(1) That mothers were often those who guided us into the light, assuming we had pious mothers

(2) That Jesus both cared for his mother, showing that he was a pious only son, and gave her as a mother to the Church, showing that even as adult followers of Jesus we have a need for a mother, both in Mother Church and in the individualization of that in Mary

But the readings of the day are about healing - always healing with a purpose

Healing is not always good for us, since it can allow us to focus more on this world than on God

Suffering can be good for us in that it gives us the opportunity to grow in the virtue of patience and it allows us to identify our sufferings with those of Christ

Yet having said that, today we note situations in which God did heal

In two of the three cases the person has been paralyzed for a longish time: 8 years and 38 years

In one case the man is clearly not a disciple and not expecting healing; in one case, Aeneas, the man may or may not be a follower of Jesus, and in one case, Dorcas, the woman is a notedly pious follower of Jesus. God can touch everyone.

In all cases the effects are evangelistic.

In John the evangelism comes through the offense of healing on the Sabbath. That leads to the offense of “My Father is working still, and I am working.” That revelation of the relationship of the Father to the Son and therefore of the nature of the Son sets up Peter’s confession in the next chapter: “we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

In Acts first in the case of Aeneas “all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord,” and then in the case of Dorcas “all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

Finally, in all cases it is Jesus doing the healing (as in James 5:14-15): the Apostles and later presbyters do what Jesus did, for there is a precedent in the ministry of Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, let us observe these lessons and so grow in our appreciation for how Jesus operates in his Church.

Realize that most people healed in the New Testament are outside the community of the disciples of Jesus, sometimes totally, especially if brought by others, and sometimes they are seeking Jesus or his agents simply for healing, but healing opens them and those around them to evangelism. Today the church tends to reverse the priorities.

Realize that healing tends to create openness to going deeper with God - it is not the whole show, for physical healing is temporary and relationship with God is eternal.

Realize that God always has a purpose in allowing illness and sometimes we become aware of it. When we do, it is usually either to draw his followers closer to Jesus or to draw those who are not his followers to Jesus in the first place. It is always for the honor of God and not for the glorification of the healer.

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, risen Lord, who still walks among us with your healing

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 5-15-2022: Sunday of the Paralytic or Fourth Sunday of Pascha

EPISTLE

Acts 9:32–42

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas or Gazelle. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

1 John 1:1-7

The Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition Chapter 1

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing this that our joy may be complete.

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 5-15-2022: Sunday of the Paralytic or Fourth Sunday of Pascha

GOSPEL

John 5:1–15

5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2  Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. 5 One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8  Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. 10  So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me said to me, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk.’ ” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14  Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

John 19:25–27 RSV2CE

25 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

John 21:24–25 RSV2CE

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (5-8-2022: Sunday of the Paralytic or Fourth Sunday of Pascha)

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2022 | PENTECOSTARION

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 5-15-2022: Sunday of the Paralytic or Fourth Sunday of Pascha

SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC OR FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA

Bright Vestments

Matins Gospel Luke 24:13–35

Epistle Acts 9:32–42

Gospel John 5:1–15