From the Holy Gospel according to Luke (7:11-16):
- It is Jesus Himself Who comes to the gate where he is met by dead human nature, dead in grace and good works. This mass of humanity heading towards the grave would have decayed further if the Divine Physician had not provided His assistance.
- Faith is of the divine initiative, man can do nothing, he cannot rouse itself up to God. God must first love us and call us to Himself. This does not mean that human free-will is negated, but that authentic choice is only liberated by His call and grace. 'They that carried it stood still', the carriers of the bier did not resist His healing action, which allowed its efficacy to manifest itself in curing the young man. Only at His hand does human nature return to wholeness. Man may recover physical health through his own natural processes without recourse to medicine, yet grace is not part of the gift of nature, but accords with the mystery hidden in God. It is not something that we can apply when it suits us. It must be given.
- It is interesting that our Divine Lord will often heal bodies not simply by willing it (which would accomplish the same effect) but often engages in human action. He will speak, touch, use spittle etc to bestow grace and mercy in a human manner. In our holy religion, the flesh is not deemed evil, but by the assumption of flesh (the 'hinge of salvation' according to Tertullian) by the Logos, it is transformed and glorified. Our composite, dual nature is not a punishment but an essential element of our humanity. By His Cross, Jesus reconciled men to God, and by founding His Catholic Church, He reconciles men to men. Our Lord by His ineffable power may have chosen to bring men to Him and salvation by appearing to individuals to enlighten them in heavenly things, yet as He acts in accordance with what it most fitting, He chose from all eternity to establish His Church to perpetuate the Incarnation and bring the redemption wrought by His Most Precious Blood to the ends of the earth. The Church carries out her mission, faithful to her Bridegroom by healing men through the Sacraments and sacred rites and symbols.
- It is said that our Lord cured 'being moved with mercy towards her'. He has compassion, yet it is He Who has been offended and will be pierced by sin. He was rejected, yet He wishes to accept and console. Even though we have all too often spurned His mercy, He pursues us with burning love so that we may be converted. We have departed from life, so He becomes our Physician.
- 'Arise!' (Surge). That is, Do not remain where you are, fickle in thought and deed. Turn to Me, and I will give you true rest. I am the One you seek, the One you long for. Only in Me do you find true life, depart from Me and you will return to the dust without hope.
- It is Jesus Himself Who comes to the gate where he is met by dead human nature, dead in grace and good works. This mass of humanity heading towards the grave would have decayed further if the Divine Physician had not provided His assistance.
- Faith is of the divine initiative, man can do nothing, he cannot rouse itself up to God. God must first love us and call us to Himself. This does not mean that human free-will is negated, but that authentic choice is only liberated by His call and grace. 'They that carried it stood still', the carriers of the bier did not resist His healing action, which allowed its efficacy to manifest itself in curing the young man. Only at His hand does human nature return to wholeness. Man may recover physical health through his own natural processes without recourse to medicine, yet grace is not part of the gift of nature, but accords with the mystery hidden in God. It is not something that we can apply when it suits us. It must be given.
- It is interesting that our Divine Lord will often heal bodies not simply by willing it (which would accomplish the same effect) but often engages in human action. He will speak, touch, use spittle etc to bestow grace and mercy in a human manner. In our holy religion, the flesh is not deemed evil, but by the assumption of flesh (the 'hinge of salvation' according to Tertullian) by the Logos, it is transformed and glorified. Our composite, dual nature is not a punishment but an essential element of our humanity. By His Cross, Jesus reconciled men to God, and by founding His Catholic Church, He reconciles men to men. Our Lord by His ineffable power may have chosen to bring men to Him and salvation by appearing to individuals to enlighten them in heavenly things, yet as He acts in accordance with what it most fitting, He chose from all eternity to establish His Church to perpetuate the Incarnation and bring the redemption wrought by His Most Precious Blood to the ends of the earth. The Church carries out her mission, faithful to her Bridegroom by healing men through the Sacraments and sacred rites and symbols.
- It is said that our Lord cured 'being moved with mercy towards her'. He has compassion, yet it is He Who has been offended and will be pierced by sin. He was rejected, yet He wishes to accept and console. Even though we have all too often spurned His mercy, He pursues us with burning love so that we may be converted. We have departed from life, so He becomes our Physician.
- 'Arise!' (Surge). That is, Do not remain where you are, fickle in thought and deed. Turn to Me, and I will give you true rest. I am the One you seek, the One you long for. Only in Me do you find true life, depart from Me and you will return to the dust without hope.
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