A HELPING HAND

John 5:1-16 (1-3, 5-16)

People always say that health is wealth. All of us want to be healthy. We are willing to spend thousands of dollars just to remain healthy and be productive in our work, at home, in school, in the community, and in society. It is important to be healthy not only physically, psychologically, but also, spiritually.

In today’s gospel a man who had been ill for thirty eight years is among the blind, lame and paralyzed who seek a cure by being the first to enter the water of the pool after some sort of stirrings. Everyday this man has been coming to the pool for years. And for all these years, nobody has given him a helping hand to be the first to reach the healing water. Here Jesus comes with a question: Do you want to be well? It sounds funny; this is why he has been coming here for years; healing is what he wants. Jesus did not wait for the water to stir, he cures the man and sends him home. Take up your mat, and walk.

This healing miracle in our gospel today has a lot to teach us. As we approach the Paschal feast, we are reminded today to ask ourselves: How do I live our Christian life? Look around you and see how many people are there who cannot reach the curing grace of God because there is no one to help them? As Christians, we cannot stand by passively and watch our relatives and friends going far from God.  Some of them may need just a little bit of encouragement so that they move forward. Some people say that “The price of greatness is responsibility.” We have the responsibility to help those around us in their physical and spiritual needs.

Let me give you a quiz. 1) In your mind, list a few teachers who helped you through school. 2) Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3) Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 4) Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 5) Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. 6) Name some heroes whose stories have inspired you. What kind of people do you have in mind? Actually when I thought about this, I found out that the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care. In one word, let us care.