Life can be paralyzing for those who suffer from poor mental health and emotional distress, and it is worse when we are lonely. But I am always amazed by what happens to a lonely soul when it finds companionship along the way. I’m reminded of a flashlight that helps illuminate our path at night. It does not eliminate all the darkness but provides enough clarity to continue moving forward.

Like the paralytic from Matthew’s Gospel, whose friends brought forth to Christ, we may be paralyzed, but our loved ones who know Christ and care for us can help bring us to Christ with their prayers, thoughts, and actions. Through them, our plea is presented to the One who loves us, that he may look into our hearts and minds and heal us. We are brought forth, but our courage is needed, so our hearts may be open to asking our Lord for help. “…Courage child, your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2). Our Eucharistic Lord is awaiting to heal hearts and free souls. Let us help Christ in this mission.

Nothing gladdens the heart more than to recover one who is lost, help one in real need, or bring a joyful smile to a face that has known chiefly sadness and anguish, and it is part of our call in this life to live our love, faith, and hope with active charity. May we embody what we have come to know from our experience of God’s love and compassion, for he loved us first, and from that firm knowledge, we go forth to be as him with those we encounter. We are also to love first. Living faithful lives and in the fullness of hope, we can all get by with a bit of help from our friends.

Prayer:

Lord, helps to live your love and compassion in active charity. Help us look at our brothers and sisters who are lonely and cannot move forward in life through your eyes, that we may accompany them along the way with love and understanding and that we may help lead their hearts to you, that they may be healed through the power of your hand. Amen.