READ: LUKE 5: 17-26
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Son your sins are forgiven.” (V.20)
During the second week of January 2011, my retired police friends, Roy, Dick and me, made our annual golf pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach. The trip for retired officers, and their friends, was a high mark for all 52 of us as we enjoyed our yearly reunion. The eight-hour ride to South Carolina was marked with lively conversation. The three of us shared updates on our lives, future plans and humorous stories from the past. Roy’s outgoing personality and his propensity to have an observation or knowledge about every discussed topic, kept the “chit-chat” flowing. Never was there a dull moment with Roy in the car!
That years trip was marked by terribly cold weather. In fact, we played golf one day when the ice was melting from trees and smashing off our golf carts. Despite the weather, and apparently not feeling well, Roy played each day with an infectious optimism that soon had all of us ignoring the elements and enjoying our time with our police brothers. The cold did not stop Roy from dressing in his trademark knickers each day. His outfits included a “hot pink” one, his chick magnet, that was quite a statement for a retired cop. But this was Roy at his best, secure in who he was as a person and knowing his outfits added to everyone’s enjoyment of our yearly outing.
One week after returning home, Roy, the super active, gregarious and constantly in motion guy, was diagnosed with incurable leukemia. Just before being put into a medically induced coma to try and stem the tide of the cancer, Roy called Dick to give him the news and requested that he help his wife navigate the post-death benefits mill. Following this conversation, Roy was placed in a coma and with great courage and dignity went home to be with Jesus six days later.
Reading about the faith of the men opening the roof of a house to get their paralyzed friend to be at Jesus feet, I thought of Roy. At one point in his life Roy was actively considering becoming a Roman Catholic Priest but was not an active church attender or server. However, it was evident through our conversations that he had a close personal connection to Christ. This combined with being an authentic person with no false facades, led me to believe that he would have been among the men lowering their friend through the roof to experience Christ’s healing grace. What greater gift than having your sins personally forgiven by Jesus with a little help from your friends.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Roy would have lowered me, no matter the circumstances, to be placed in front of Jesus. Are you, and am I, capable of doing the same for a brother or sister in need?
Dear Lord Jesus, although I have the mental and physical capabilities to cut through a roof for a brother or sister in need of your mercy, grace, and love, I often lack the spiritual confidence to complete the task. Help me, I pray, keep strong of faith to finish your calling of bringing my brother or sister to you.