wanted: stretcher-bearers and roofers
"They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but they found no way of getting him through because of the crowd, so they went up on the roof." —Luke 5:18-19
Many people, even Christians, have been so brainwashed, manipulated, and overwhelmed by the consumeristic hype of Christmas that they can't see the Christ of Christmas because of the crowd of obstructions. Nevertheless, some of these people have not been so enslaved that they are helpless. These people, like Zacchaeus, can climb a tree, see Jesus, and hope for His mercy (see Lk 19:3-4). Others are so trapped that they need special help to see Jesus. Like the paralytic, they need four good friends who have enough love and faith to carry them to Jesus and even to disassemble the roof if necessary (see Lk 5:19).
Ask the Lord whom He wants you to carry to Christmas. Pray for these people daily, repeatedly, for days. After having talked to God about these people, talk to these people about God. Ask the Lord to give you the prophetic words that will remove the roof standing between them and Jesus. After all this prayer and prophecy, lower them to Jesus. Jesus will announce to them: "My friend, your sins are forgiven you" (Lk 5:20). By God's grace and by your faith, those you've been carrying may repent, receive forgiveness, and give their lives to Jesus. Then we will have a real Christmas — new life and the birth of Jesus in our lives.
Prayer: Father, "put me back in labor pains until Christ is formed" in others (Gal 4:19).
Promise: "A highway will be there, called the holy way." —Is 35:8
Praise: Pope St. Damasus boldly dealt with heretics and was also responsible for commissioning St. Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin, the most common language of that time.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, July 15, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 17, 2000