Mark 2:1-12 New American Bible

Mark 2:1-12 Bible Gateway New International Version

“Take Up Your Mat and Walk.”

Every day doctors, nurses, and hospital workers take part in God’s healing. Each day of our lives, God heals our bodies, minds, and souls. Each time we make a mistake God forgives us. Each time we judge others by saying, “Oh, they shouldn’t have done that. I wouldn’t have done that if I were them.” “Oh, look at their clothing. It’s so out of date. It looks like clothing my grandmother wore when she was a kid.” These people may be lucky they even have clothing to wear.

We are each like the paralytic. Sometimes fear, pride, or jealousy keeps us frozen in our footsteps. We are not able to move. We are not able to do what God wants us to do. Our feet get stuck in mud. They get frozen in an icy pond. When we ask God to help us, then we will be able to move. When we ask God to show us what to do, then our feet will move down the path he has chosen for us. When we ask God to heal us with his forgiveness, then the path he wants us to take will be open.

Many times when we are frozen and cannot move because we are thinking of ourselves. When we reach out to help someone else, the Holy Spirit gives us unbelievable powers. Sometimes a boy lifts a car off his father or a girl swims in icy water to save her little sister. When this happens, it is because God shares his energy and power when we work to save lives and to help others.

Every day please pray for peace among all mankind. This is a way each of us can save the lives of many innocent people.

Say the “Our Father” and ask God to show you how to defrost your heart, mind, body, and soul. Ask God how he wants you to move in life. Look at your reflection in mirror. You can see all of the goodness that God has stored in you. Ask him which path to take today that you may share in his healing. God loves you very much. He is so proud of you for walking on the path to help his people.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.