This story of the healing of the paralytic gives me hope, for I know the faith of those who love me, and I trust their intercession for me in prayer. Just as the paralytic’s friends and my loved ones present my needs to our Lord, the encounter is individual and personal. The choice to believe is ours, and Jesus encourages us whenever we get close, “Courage, child.”

Courage is needed to ask forgiveness, and when we experience Christ’s healing, we cannot but be amazed.

Jesus said to the paralytic, “‘…Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’ He rose and went home.” (Matthew 9:6-7)

I am confident that for the healed paralytic, this moment of encounter became a cherished memory. I imagine him looking at that precious stretcher with a smile. How could he not smile when it reminded him of that great moment of courage, faith, and hope? The stretcher is probably now the symbol of that blessed encounter, a sacramental reminder to thank God for his love toward us.

I keep many items as reminders of those blessed encounters. I can tell you the objects stories clearly and in detail, and because they bring forth these blessed memories, I take care to keep them close. Yet, the greatest gift of encounter is more than a gift, more than a sacramental… The Eucharist is a memorial, a re-living.

The Eucharist is the greatest gift of the love of Jesus Christ. It is the synopsis of all the special gifts of his life. He left us a memorial of his marvels. It is more than a gift. It is the donor who gives himself. (Saint Peter Julian Eymard (PG 279,3))

Let us take care to keep Christ Eucharistic close.

Let us pray:

Lord, let us be always conscious of your love toward us. It helps to have the courage to approach, engage, and love you. It helps us so that we may be healed and that we may always praise you in thanksgiving. Amen.