JN 5:1-16
Today’s gospel tells the story of Jesus’ healing of a sickly man on the day of the Sabbath. After having worked on the day of the Lord, Jesus’ persecution is on the horizon, as those in the temple area found his works on the sabbath to be blasphemous and against God’s laws. Jesus had said to the sick man, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” During this time of Lent, we are able to reflect on the words Christ commanded to this man, as well as His initial saying, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Lent is a time for Catholics to stamp out our inner illnesses: our addictions, characteristics, and poor outlooks on situations. Jesus’ command is simple in this gospel: to get up and refrain from sin, in order that the future does not bring habits of later immorality. During the Lenten season, we have the opportunity to walk away from our sins with hopes of stamping out the things that keep us from God. It is during this season that, in remembrance of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, we attempt to better ourselves, knowing that God is always ready to forgive our wrongdoings and to lead us on the way to salvation.