Meditation J 5,1-16

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace:I will beg God our Lordthat all my intentionsand actions may be directed purelyto the praise and serviceof His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation:Jerusalem during a festival of the Jews. There is probably a huge crowd of people. Jesus also went up to Jerusalem at that time. In the city there is the Sheep Gate with a pool composed of two water reservoirs and five porticoes. Wonderful healing powers were attributed to this pool. So many invalids – paralyzed, blind and lame lay around it. There is also a man who has been ill for 38 years. Jesus notices him, approaches him and asks if he wants to be healthy. After a short conversation, the man gets up, takes his mat and walks away. Where are you in this scene?

Ask for the fruit of meditation: that I would like to meet Jesus and respond to His invitations

1. Do you want to be made well?

This question is asking Jesus. It may seem unbelievable or ridiculous, everyone, who is sick wants to be healthy! It is worth noting that Jesus does not receive a direct answer to the question. Why? Because it can sometimes be convenient to be in a poor situation … What kind of benefits could a man have in this scene? One thing was certainly that he did not have to take any action, in addition to the constant attempt to get into the pool, which in a way became his way of life. Maybe it was a way to escape from life?

How is it in your life? What do you have the benefits of being ill (not so much literally, but it is about the situation you are not satisfied with or in which you feel unhappy)? How do you change your situation?

2. Stand up, take your mat and walk.

Jesus gives the invalid man a specific task to do. Here, Jesus already receives the answer: the sick person stands up, takes his mat and goes. You can say that he finally takes responsibility for his life.

This scene is an invitation to learn to respond to Jesus, the other person. Answer not automatically, but give yourself time to reflect, to recognize the path that you want to go further, to live a fuller life in God. Certainly, everyday prayer – a meeting with Jesus, helps us understand this. (see CCC 2725).

What is your answer to the invitation of Jesus? How do you answer Jesus in your daily activities?

3. … Jesus saw him …

The invalid spends 38 years at the pool, which is credited with healing power. However, he did not get a miracle, either small or spectacular. Why? Maybe he was looking for miracle not where he should be? Maybe not miraculous, but the meeting has healing power? Jesus notices the sick person, meets him, and the invalid interacts with Jesus. That is the meeting.

Now Jesus notices you, He go to you just as he went to the invalid. Let yourself meet Jesus.

Meditation:St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)