Walking with the goodwill

Let us never grow weary in doing what is right. (Galatians 6:9a)

During the journey, if you walk alone, you will easily lose your way; if you have a companion, you will feel safer and more confident, and you can go further. If we are traveling with like-minded people, we will feel even more comfortable and the journey will be pleasant and relaxing.

Are there any companions on our journey of life? The paralytic man told in the Gospel of Mark, his four friends were kind-hearted companions. They sought help from Jesus together, with clear goals, and they were not discouraged even if they encountered difficulties. The friends carried the paralyzed man to the house where Jesus was. Because there were many people and they could not enter through the door, they carried the mat to the roof, took apart the roof, and worked together to lower the mat to Jesus (Mark 2:1-5 ) The paralyzed man needed the help and persistence of his friends. They did not give up easily when encountering obstacles , did not find it troublesome, only by working together could the paralytic go to Jesus and be healed. These good-hearted companions are just as the Scripture says: “ Let us never grow weary in doing what is right.” (Galatians 6:9a)

Luke Chapter 10 also describes a Samaritan who insisted on doing good deeds. He saw a businessman who was attacked by robbers on the road. He stopped to bandage his wounds, helped him mount his animal. Took him to an inn and took care of him, and gave the innkeeper money to continue to take care of him until his return… Can we be like the Samaritan and the friends of the paralytic to do good without getting tired of it? Especially during this Lent season, should we always be self-restrained, skip a meal, donate money to charity, or take an action of caring for the needy? We can become friends and share God’s grace with them by walking with them.

When Jesus healed the paralytic, he did not say: You are cured. But when Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) Jesus understood that what the paralytic needed most was mercy and care, and his deeper need was God’s forgiveness. And what is important is that both the paralytic and his friends walked toward Jesus with faith, trusted in God, sought forgiveness, persisted in choosing good, and at the same time received grace. The paralytic received forgiveness of sins and got up and walked. When two or three people gather together to pray for the same intention, then the benefits of prayer cannot be ignored.  As friends of the paralytic witnessed that God revealed His glory in the paralytic, they could support and encourage each other in faith and move toward heaven. Because the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35)

To fight for the kingdom of heaven, we do not necessarily have to do big things to show our love for God and our neighbours, but we must practise charity in our daily lives. For example, we can see if our neighbour needs a helping hand and lead him to Jesus to be healed. Let’s be our neighbour’s companion! Serving others with the love of Christ and bearing witness through tireless good deeds help us establish a closer relationship with God, live out a true Christian identity, and embark on a meaningful life path.

Lenten Campaign Organising Committee, 2024