Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 19, 2012
Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 2 Corinthians 1: 18-22 Mark 2:1-12
Many years ago the popular Dionne Warwick song, "That's What Friends are For," proclaimed in part these words, "...that I do believe I love you… In good times, in bad times I'll be on your side forever more Oh, that's what friends are for…"
This Sunday we will hear Mark's story of a paralyzed man who certainly was on the receiving end of the kind of friendship spoken of in this song. We hear how four of those gathered at the home went to great lengths or should I say "heights" to bring the paralytic face to face with Jesus. Why? The Gospel tells part of the reason in emphasizing the deep faith of those who assisted the man in meeting Jesus. Perhaps what is not voiced, however, is the equally great love they must have had for the man so as to seek his wholeness.
While Mark's Gospel account affirms Jesus' unfolding self-revelation, it also presents us with a glimpse of the great collaborative and healing power of faith and love.
Many of the gathered came together because of a personal faith… whether it be with curiosity that seeds faith, with firmness of faith, or somewhere in between. Mark's story can help us see the power of selfless personal faith moved to action. The four did not keep their faith to themselves-rather they worked together as their faith unfolded into an action of great healing love. They were resourceful and did not let the seemingly daunting crowd factor hold them back. The result was something much greater than any of them might have been able to accomplish on their own.
Moving this story to the present day, we can see instances of faith moved into action because of love of others. While perhaps it is most evident on a grand scale in many of the devastating tragedies and events in the past decade… there are also many smaller collaborations through which people help to heal "neighbor" in a variety of ways.
How might we continue to grow these communities and collaborations of faith-love action? What are the things or situations that unsettle us and tug at our hearts as we read and watch daily news or as we experience life in general? Maybe we are overwhelmed because some of them seem so much bigger than us. Maybe the four in the Gospel felt the same way … but as we can see by the outcome, they did not let the paralyzed man's situation "best" them, instead, inspired by their faith and love, they creatively figured out a way to use the best of what they had together for the healing of another…that's what "friends" are for.
Prayer
Saving God, as we approach this Lenten season, challenge our hearts to deeper listening to you and others so that together we may make manifest in our world greater actions of your healing and saving love.
Sr. Barbara Ann Sgro
Sr. Monica Masterson, who will be celebrating her 60th Jubilee this spring, also is an educator. She has been a teacher for years and now teaches 4th Grade religious education to public school students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in an after-school program. She has help from a student from Maria Regina H.S., who joins Sr. Monica and the students as part of her community service hours. 
Sr. Cathy Burns serves the people at Annunciation Church as a Pastoral Associate. Rather than children and teens, Sr. Cathy works primarily with the Seniors at Annunciation. She teaches a Bible Study course and visits the sick and homebound, where she brings them communion. Sr. Cathy also coordinates activities for Seniors. Whether it is a trip to Atlantic City, a St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Day Party (celebrating both Irish and Italian heritage and food), or playing cards in the basement of the rectory, she is always finding ways to engage the older members of the Church.
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