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When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?”

John 5:6

The man in today’s Gospel had been ill for 38 years. While we do not know the particulars of his illness, we can appreciate that 38 years is an incredibly long time to suffer. We know he struggled to receive relief and healing. Then, he encounters Jesus, who comes up to him and asks him if he would like to be made well. Jesus listens to the man explain his hardship and responds by telling him to rise, take up his mat, and walk. The man did not need to be placed in the pool; he needed Jesus as we need him too.  Today, Jesus is asking us the same question; “Do you want to be well? Just as this man told Jesus of his troubles, we can tell Jesus what we are going through, whether that be illness or a difficult situation, and He will lift us up. But sometimes we do the contrary, for instance; there are moments in my life where I tend to do things my way or by myself. I easily forget that I have Jesus in my life, and that he can heal and solve anything that I’m going through, just by seeking his guidance and healing. We need to remember that however long we have been suffering, Jesus always has the words of new life.

What areas of my life do I feel I need Jesus’ healing?

Heavenly Father may your words wash over our hearts as we continue our Lenten journey so we can find abundance and new life in you.

Today’s Reflection is by:

Deacon Elix Castro

Did you know...

Deacon Elix Castro and  was born in Lares, Puerto Rico. He is married to Lucy, his wife of 34 years and is the  father of four children; Fr. Xavy, Zul, Aizy and Jay. He and his wife founded the MDS ministry, which is a marriage support group, that serves the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and other dioceses in the United States and Mexico. He has a degree in Radio and TV communications from University of Puerto Rico and has worked in secular radio and TV stations in Puerto Rico and USA. He also does a daily meditation of the word in Spanish through Catolico Hoy YouTube channel. He was ordained as permanent deacon in this diocese in 2015, and currently serves at Nativity Parish in Brandon.

John 5:6

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be well?"

In today's Gospel I was reflecting on the part where Jesus tells the man "Do you want to be well?" This part speaks to me because when I was young I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I would not be proactive in doing anything. Then a friend of mine asked me if I really wanted to just do nothing. This hurt me a little bit but he was right I'm pretty sure that the person I wanted to be was not someone who did nothing in their life but maximized it to its potential. God is calling us to give Him our best.

Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:

Christopher Marte, Junior at St.John Vianney

Home parish: St.Cecelia

Did you know...

Praying for the world, and especially for our diocese.

Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.