Seek Him

Stories of miracle.

18 [a]While he was saying these things to them, an official[b] came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel[c] on his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”[d] And they ridiculed him. 25 When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. 26 And news of this spread throughout all that land.-Matthew9:18-26

A daughter just died. When one dies, it is impossible to bring him/her back to life. A woman has a bleeding problem for 12 years. Could this year be any different with the past years? Hopeless cases, right? But it is very true that if we are in a rock bottom or hopeless situation, it is there that we seek God's help and all the more hopeful. The miracle stories are testimonies that Jesus does not leave us when we need Him the most. However, it is not enough that we only seek God just because we need Him to solve our problems. Our experiences should make us seek Him all the more whether it is in joy or in pain. Our experiences should be turning points in our life making us closer to God, making us aware of God.

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The Key

...know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

1 [a]He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. 2 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.” 3 At that, some of the scribes[b] said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 [c]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.” 7 He rose and went home. 8 [d]When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.-Matthew9:1-8

The Gospel clearly demonstrates Jesus' power to heal and forgive sins. During His time, it is very rare for somebody to show such kind of authority - healing, driving demons away, teaching with authority, mastery over forces of nature, and so on. Today, it is all the more rare to see somebody in his/her full potential. "When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings." We may not have the same kind of gifts that were once blessed to all followers, believers, apostles and disciples of Jesus in the past, but we do have 'gifts' from God for sure. These gifts await to be unlocked. Perhaps it is not much, but the little that we have is worth putting to use for the greater glory of God. How do we unlock something that we do not know? The key is God, the key is with God. We need only to ask and believe.

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The pigs, the demons and mankind today

They what??

28 When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes,[a] two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. 29 They cried out, “What have you to do with us,[b] Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.[c] 31 The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 33 The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.-Matthew8:28-34

Strange isn't it? If the world needs God more than ever, the townsfolk in the Gospel actually begged Jesus to leave. What propelled them to ask His Majesty to leave? Were they afraid of His power? Were they unhappy that the two persons were finally freed of the demons? Were they unhappy for the loss of the pigs? Could be yes, could be no. Grace is poured upon us to accept Jesus as our Savior. It is up to us to recognize and acknowledge Him. There is something much more than profit or possessions. When somebody is freed from his/her evils or illness, we should rejoice because mercy has been given to that person, freedom has been given to that person, another chance has been given to that person.

It is saddening that we have forgotten or lost the knowledge of who we truly are, or what we are supposed to be. We look to the stars and aliens (sic) for answers to our existence. The truth is, it is here; it is obvious. Unfortunately, we look the other way. Some would rather dance their way to hell and sacrifice eternity in Heaven, in exchange for a little bliss on earth. Are we heading to ruin? Is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah not enough for us to learn? Is the Babylon exile not enough for us to learn?

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What's your miracle story?

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

21 When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her[a] that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 [b]She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
35 [c]While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 [d]So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 [e]He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.-Mark5:21-43

It is never God's intention for us to suffer and die. However, some things do happen for a reason, for a purpose. Once, I held on to these stories; and like Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman, hoped for a miracle, for a happy ending. I spent and exhausted what faith, hope and trust in me as I await for a miracle. But nothing came. But looking back at my experience, my sorrow, pain and suffering actually helped me be a better person. It made me see my wrongs. One thing is certain, whether we got what we asked for or not, whether we have a happy ending or not, God will always be there for us and will always make things right.

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Freedom from the old ways

“... you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” - Jesus

1 After this, there was a feast[b] of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep [Gate][c] a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. 3 In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled.[d] [4 ][e] 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.Now that day was a sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” 11 He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” 13 The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. 14 [f]After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. 16 Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.-John5:1-16

I am still baffled as to why Jesus said to the man, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” As a good reader of minds and hearts, is it possible that Jesus sensed that the just-healed man is plotting something sinful? Is it possible that after being ill for thirty-eight years, the man has not converted or learned from his sickness [sic]? Is it possible that the man plans to return to a 'dissipated life' [sic] despite being healed already?

So many men and women languish and are sorrowful if they are sick, imprisoned, or in suffering. But after being healed, they return to the old ways, unhealthy ways, dissipated way of living. There is a woman who suffered imprisonment for six years for selling and using drugs. A few months after being paroled, there is news circulating that the lady once more took to selling drugs as a way of earning a living. Such a sad life. Jesus has a message for us all - “... you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” Let us not abuse and take for granted so many beautiful things in our life.

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Persevere and Insist

Believe in Jesus.

43 [a]After the two days, he left there for Galilee. 44 [b]For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. 45 When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.46 Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. 48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. 51 While he was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. 52 He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” 53 The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. 54 [Now] this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.-John4:43-54

It is hard to explain why Jesus said to the official, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” As a very good reader of hearts and minds, is it possible that Jesus sensed that the official doubts that his son will ever be healed by anybody? Or, is it simply a test just like the Syro-Phoenician woman? Or, does Jesus wants the official to truly believe and have faith that anything is possible with the God-made-man? Jesus, through the Gospel, is teaching us to believe and have faith that miracles do happen no matter how impossible it is. However, it is true that some petitions are not granted because God knows that it is not good for us. Sometimes, we need also to humbly persevere and insist to God to grant what we ask of Him.

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A Sad Story

Jesus is The Light and Hope.

40 A leper[a] came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44 Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45 The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.-Mark1:40-45

Today, with the advancement of science, technology and medicine, leprosy is no longer dreaded because there is already a cure. But prior to the discovery of its cure, when a person is diagnosed with leprosy, it spells doom. It is death sentence. I was privileged to be in a pastoral exposure in a former leper colony. The colony is now a very typical sea-side community, very normal, gradually progressing. One interaction with an old lady tore my heart. I cannot remember her name, but let us call her Anna and this is her story.

"It was after the second world war, maybe in the 50s or 60s. I had a husband and a son. We lived happily, and very much contented with the little that we have. One day, I was ill. I went to the hospital and was unfortunately diagnosed with leprosy. My husband suddenly changed. He was no longer the loving husband I knew. He kept distance and showed no interest in me. He wouldn't come near me nor let my child come near me. The pains in the heart are more terrible than the wounds. I have become an outcast and a loathsome creature in my community and in my own home. I heard about the leper colony somewhere in a coastal island. They said the sea breeze, the waters and the medicines there truly help the patients. There I went on a boat loaded with lepers like myself. At the hospital, the stench is indescribable. The agony of the patients is indescribable. But I do not want to be like them. I do not want to smell and rot. I do not want to be loathed at. Despite my own extreme pain, I always crawl into the bathrooms, and bathe myself with laundry soap. It was painful to my perpetually fresh wounds, but I endured it. Nobody would take care of me or give me a bath because the doctors and nurses are never enough for all of us. There are religious men and women to help, but still they are not enough to care for all of us inflicted with leprosy. When I was so weak I can no longer help myself to eat, I thought that that will be the end of me since there's nobody to help me. But God gave me a helper and his name is Rod. Rod is a leper too. Despite his own wounds and pains, he took care of me. It's very funny because he would chew the food, then he would spit it out then spoon-fed me with it. All that I have to do is simply swallow it. Rod never left me since those days. Eventually I, along with the rest, got healed of this disease when cure is finally discovered. I tried to go back to my husband and child, but I no longer heard from them. Rod is now my family."

The leper in the Gospel reading is healed physically, emotionally and socially. His joy is definitely beyond words. Perhaps, everything is hopeless, dark, sad and bitter until Jesus came along, healed him and restored him to life. God's invitation for us all is to be compassionate to the sick and the needy. Let us all be "lights" and agents of hope and love to them.

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Jesus heals

We need God's healing.

53 After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. 54 As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. 55 They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.-Mark6:53-56

As I reflected, I remembered a scene in a movie where a religious icon was passing through some sick persons lying on mats. One man was suddenly cured. However, the local physician said that it was just a farce because it was impossible to be cured by a passing religious icon alone. We live in a world that demands proof. Science can give proof about its methods, therefore, is accepted. While miracles came to be, thanks to God's mercy. Since miracles cannot show its methods, not all are convinced about it. "How? Prove it! Prove it!" they say. I consider our lack of faith in God as a kind of ailment that needs healing. We think we can be captain and commander of our own life, but the truth is, we cannot. Though science has answered a lot of questions, still, an abyss of unanswered questions lie in wait.

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Miracles do Happen

Miracles around us!

21 When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her[a] that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 [b]She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

35 [c]While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 [d]So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 [e]He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.-Mark5:21-43

Two beautiful stories of miracles. Two hopeless cases and yet have been given each a miracle by Jesus. It is strange why Jesus demanded to know who touched His clothes. Indeed every body is pressing upon Him, surely all are guilty of touching His clothes. But there is one - and He knows the woman - who touched Him quite unlike the rest. The woman was full of hope and faith much more than the rest. Is Jesus desiring to condemn or admonish the woman for touching Him considering that she is unclean at that? No. For me, Jesus perhaps would like the woman to bear witness that all things are possible with God. Perhaps the woman's story is intended for you and me and all those reading her miracle story to inspire us, refresh our hope, and energize our faith in Jesus as the God-made-man Who understands all our pains and sorrows.

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Good News!

God is indeed with us!

40 And a leper[a] came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus[b] sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.-Mark1:40-45

When something good or miraculous happened to a person, s/he cannot help but share this good news to others. When a miraculous event happened to me, I was so animated, joyful and so inspired to share it to others. When my friends heard it, they shared my joy and rejoiced with me. Like the leper, I keep on repeating to myself and to others, "God has shown me mercy and compassion. God truly loves me, all of us. God truly listens to us. God truly gives us the help that we need at the right time. God is with us!" Are we bringer of good news or bad news to others?

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The Lord's Wish and Will

It is the Lord's will.

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.-Luke5:12-16

Jesus made many healings and miracles. I believe many accounts of these wonderful acts were still unknown to this day. The story of the healing of the leper is not just any ordinary curing of leprosy. What makes it standout from so many healing stories of leprosy is that the leper (in some way) asked Jesus' will. When we are in dire circumstances, we immediately make a list of what we want God to do for us. We immediately make known to God about OUR will. I had encounters with sick people and hospital patients and most of them would say, "I want to be healed" or "I want the pain to go away." When was the last time we asked God about His will? When was the last time we listened to Him? to what He wants from us or what He wants us to do to be better persons?

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Kudos to them

What kind of blindness do you have? Jesus is the True Healer that removes all infirmities.

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.-matthew9:27-31

I was struck by the two blind men. Despite being "blind," they were able to follow Jesus and were still able to approach Him when He had gone indoors. Could it be that there were people who helped them? But if we take the Biblical account literally, it seems that the blind men knew where they were supposed to go. Could it be that they have a different kind of blindness? Perhaps a 'blindness' that eats the soul?

Notice that Jesus asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" in reference to the healing they were asking for. But why did Jesus ask them? If it is simple healing, why is it that Jesus had to ask them if they believed He can do it? Could it be that they were asking for a 'healing' beyond physical blindness?

As I reflected, one word came to me - Brokenhearted. There were many people who experienced being brokenhearted - from losing a loved one, separation, failure, rejection, bankruptcy and so on. Some rise above it. While others drown on it to such an extent that they commit suicide or lost the will to live. I remember the movie 'Dark Knight Rises.' It took Bruce Wayne eight (8) years to move on. But hanging the batsuit doesn't mean giving up the will to live.

Kudos to the blind men who believed that Jesus can heal their infirmities! If they were blind within - assuming they were brokenhearted and lost the will to live (remember, if a person loses the will to live, no doctor can heal such a case since from the start the patient is not fighting) - kudos to them for being brave enough to ask Jesus to heal their infirmity and believing the He alone can heal them. Kudos to them for believing that with Jesus, all pain and infirmity can go away even with His words alone.

Image courtesy: El Greco (Jesus heals the man born blind), Dark Knight Rises, artist

Checkmate!

Checkmate!

On a sabbath [Jesus] went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.-Luke14:1-6

As I read and reflected on the Gospel reading, I cannot help but be struck by the entire dining setup. First, there were people carefully observing Jesus. [I wonder why.] Second, assuming that Jesus was the Pharisee's guest of honor or primary guest. Why did the Pharisee or his assistant seat him in front of a sickly man?

[Guests of honor always have a good seat and are seated with high ranking government officials, business and society elite. If a guest is sick, s/he is usually replaced with another elite substitute from the society.] Third, during Jesus' time, every Jew knew that healing is considered work. Since healing is work, it is forbidden on a sabbath day. Why, then, were they unable to answer such a simple question if healing was lawful on a sabbath? [It is like asking any mathematician the sum of 1 plus 1.] Fourth, each and every person present on that dinner knew how to care and protect his/her children, animal or possession even if it meant unconscious work during sabbath. What a strange dinner it was!

But as I reflected deeper, I cannot help but notice the malice in their hearts. The man with dropsy was not there without any purpose at all. The people were there waiting, watching and observing carefully all of Jesus' actions. Perhaps some were waiting for one wrong move. Perhaps some were waiting for fresh teaching. Perhaps some were waiting for a great feat or holy action. Knowing Jesus to be a compassionate man, many knew that He would cure the sickly man in front of Him. The man with dropsy knew that it was sabbath and as such, no matter how much he wanted healing right there, he dared not ask. Jesus is full of mercy and compassion, but at the same, He sensed the intentions and possible trap at that very moment.

Before anybody can “checkmate” Jesus, He “checkmated” them first. “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” It is still a mystery why they were not able to answer. If they say, “Yes, it is lawful.” then they might as well be accused of disrespecting sabbath laws and prohibitions. If they say, “It is unlawful.” it wouldn't really sound good, even heartless especially in the presence of a sickly man. [Hey, aren't we protecting patients, sick persons and elderly people from rejection, bad news or any emotional stress?] Still Jesus “checkmated” them by asking another question, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” Who indeed?

God loves us so much. We should love Him back by loving our neighbors especially those who are lonely, sick, abandoned and elderly.

Image courtesy: Alexandre Bida (Healing of the man with dropsy), Sunday Growler, artist