RISE AND WALK
A Spiritual Reflection on John 5:8-9
Dear friend, in today’s food for the soul which has been prepared from the kitchen of John 5:8-9; Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
Let’s look at one of the clear symbolic meanings of this passage above. The man Jesus healed was paralyzed, being unable to walk and take care of himself. Others neglected him as he sat there by the pool, hoping for kindness and attention. Jesus sees him and gives him His full attention. After a short dialogue, Jesus cures him and tells him to RISE AND WALK.
All of us are crippled in some ways and so we need to rise and walk. I am crippled and so i need to rise and walk. You are crippled and so you need to rise and walk. She is crippled and so she needs to rise and walk. He is crippled and so he needs to rise and walk. They are crippled and so they need to rise and walk.
We are crippled in different ways. Some are crippled morally, others are crippled socially, others are crippled economically, others are crippled spiritually, others are crippled politically, others are crippled financially, others are crippled emotionally, others are crippled psychologically, while others are crippled in all.
Your marriage may be crippled, your family may be crippled, your carrier or job may be crippled, your finances may be crippled, your boy friend’s or girl friend’s behaviour may be crippled, your pastor’s behaviour may be crippled, your children’s behaviour may be crippled, your husband’s or wife’s behaviour may be crippled, your boss’ behaviour may be crippled, your moral life may be crippled….
In all these JESUS SAYS: RISE AND WALK
Be honest to yourself, check yourself and find out in which area of life are you crippled. Then present that area to Jesus and allow Him to touch it so that you may RISE AND WALK.
I have personally decided to do that, how about you?
Meditate today, upon this powerful encounter which the crippled man had with Jesus. Put yourself into the scene and know that this healing is also done for you. In whatever paralysis we find ourselves Jesus is ready to make us RISE AND WALK.
Stay blessed my dear friend as you struggle to RISE AND WALK.
Fr. Stephen Kakande Sekayala C.S.Sp