The Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
February 19, 2012
(Mark 2:1-12)
If there’s one lesson that screams forth from today’s gospel passage, it’s this:
to come to…
to be with/stay with…
to genuinely follow Jesus…takes Effort! Effort on our part!
I mean, in this story, it’s undeniable that the healing and forgiveness come from God,
but in the process, something is required from us! Some effort is expected of us!
Look at the characters:
1- The “four men” – are they neighbors? - family? - friends?
We don’t know, but they ACTED!
- · carrying the paralyzed man
- · when their access to Jesus was blocked, they became creative!
- ·
- · They made an effort!
2- Then there’s the paralyzed man himself:
- · trusted these four men during this whole rather unorthodox event, even allowing himself to dangle from above
- · became the focus of everyone’s attention
- ·
- · He made an effort!
3- Jesus:
- · “preached the word to them”…even though (I assume) he had gone home for some
R & R “after some days.”
- ·
- ·
- · He made the effort!
Now us?
Let me address the issue so prominent in the news these past several weeks – the health policies announced, debated, criticized, etc.:
- · First, the January 31st letter from our Archbishop:
January 31, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the
Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty
for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the
people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic
population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that
almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’
health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost
all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write.
And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of
religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled
either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the
penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one
year to comply.
We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made
second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many
others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and
grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its
infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of
their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the
faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on
this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing
less.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must
commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty
may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I
would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe
assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would
reverse the Administration’s decision.
With best wishes and prayers, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend George J. Lucas
Archbishop of Omaha
- ·
- · The Respect for Right of Conscience Act
- · The Nebraska legislators have acted as follows:
- Rep Jeff Fortenberry introduced HR 1179
- Reps Lee Terry & Adrian Smith are co-sponsors
- Sens. Mike Johanns and Ben Nelson are co-sponsors of S 1467
And so, what about us? Our action?
- · First of all, as our bishop asks: PRAY! From the youngest to the oldest and everyone in between: we can storm heaven with our request!
- · Visit the USCCB website
- · Contact our Nebraska legislators through one format or another:
~ by phone at the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121
~ through email to congress via www.usccb.org/conscience
~ address individual members at their websites:
www.house.gov and www.senate.gov
~ send this or a similar message:
Thank you for your commitment to enacting the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (HR 1179, S 1467). The decision to require even religious institutions to provide coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the rights of conscience of all participants in our nation’s health care system are respected.
Now is the time to stay informed, and make an effort!
Adopt this issue with the same commitment of the gospel four men, that of the paralytic, and of course, with the love and dedication of Jesus Himself!