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March 22, 2023“The LORD is gracious and merciful” (Psalm 145:8) is the refrain of our responsorial psalm. This psalm magnifies the God of Israel, as does the reading from Isaiah 49:8-15 which points to Jesus the Healer in John 5. At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus searched out an invalid of 38 years. “Do you want to be healed?” “By springs of water” (Is 49:8). He said “Rise, take up your pallet and walk” (Jn 5:8). This miracle on the Sabbath elicited murderous plans from the Jews, because Jesus’ actions and words pointed to His divinity. His Father God gave the Sabbath to man. Like His Father, Jesus continued to do good on the Sabbath. This miracle brought Jesus closer to the cross. It also pointed to his resurrection. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever He wishes.”
As we approach Holy Week, this gospel demonstrates that Jesus is a sign of contradiction as prophesied by Simeon to Mary and Joseph at the Presentation (Lk 2:34). Jesus forces us to make a choice. Do we want to be healed? Do we acknowledge His divinity? Is He our LORD? Let us embrace His promise in Jn 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life.” With the sacrament of baptism, Christians live out these words, being crucified with Christ and rising to eternal life (Gal. 2: 20).
Brother Isaiah is a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. His song “Tender Remedy” is a beautiful prayer, that I love, and speaks to today’s gospel and the questions I have raised above. What a beautiful name for Jesus our Savior, Tender Remedy!“You set me free
Tender Remedy
You and humble God
You are my Tender Remedy
Heal me my Savior”
