WEDNESDAY.
Cure of the Paralytic— I.
I. A great multitude was gathered together in and
around the house in which Jesus was, " so that there was
no room, no. not even at the door, and He spoke to them
the word." (Mark ii. 2.) Observe our Lord's indefatigable zeal in laboring for the salvation of mankind; at
no time and in no place does He spare His exertions in
this great cause, but freely admits and instructs all.
Imitate His example and embrace the sentiment of St.
Paul, who followed it so well; " I most gladly will spend,
and be spent myself for your souls, although loving you
more, I beloved less." (2 Cor. xii. 15.)
II. " And behold men brought in a bed, a man, who had the palsy, and when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went upon the roof and let him down through the tiles, with his bed, into the midst before Jesus." (Luke v. 18.) Admire the faith of these men, for they undoubtedly believed, that Christ would cure him, and hence, they took every pains to bring the sick man to Him. Observe, also, their courage and patience in overcoming the difficulties that prevented their free access to the house. They forced their way through everything until they had accomplished their desire. "A true belief," writes St. Bonaventure, "is not destroyed, nor cooled by impatience, but rather inflamed." Examine your conduct on similar occasions, and see how easily you desist from a good work, through fear.
III. Consider the wonderful mercy of Christ: " Son, be of good heart, thy sins are forgiven thee." (Matt. ix. 2.)
