GracegiversSample

When I was thinking about the title for this reading plan, I don't know why, but this word immediately came to my mind: "GRACEGIVERS," literally "GIVER OF GRACE." It is borrowed from a word that has become increasingly widespread in the field of disability in recent years: "CAREGIVERS," meaning "GIVERS OF CARE" or "ONE WHO GIVES CARE."

This word refers to those who, having a relative with a disability, take care of them full-time, providing care, assistance, and so much more…

Personally, both my wife and I can define ourselves as the caregivers of my son Andrea, who, having a severe disability, keeps us quite busy every single day.

In this snapshot of Jesus' daily life, we are told that He was teaching, as He usually did every day; and there was a house packed full of people listening to Jesus, including many Pharisees and teachers of the law.

At one point we read:And behold, some men were "BRINGING" on a bed a man who was paralyzed…

It doesn't say what relationship these people had with one another; we don't know much about them, but one thing is certain: these four guys were not indifferent to their friend's difficulty—or rather, his disability—so much so that they literally carried him and brought him to Jesus.

In the Bible it is written:"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."Galatians 6:2

How difficult is it to bear other people's burdens? But above all, do we truly manage to bear one another's burdens? How do we approach those who are going through a great difficulty, as in this case?

We often use phrases like: "you are in my prayers," or "may the Lord give you strength," "I am close to you," etc... and I could go on forever. But effectively, as Christians, do we manage to take on one another's burdens?

This is certainly a question with no easy answer, but we must be honest with ourselves: too often we fail to put into practice what the Word of God tells us, because most of the time it comes with a price to pay on our part.

These guys literally carry this friend in need: they carry him along with his entire cot and start bringing him. Each one does his part, but together they take responsibility for this hardship.

They probably had other commitments, maybe they had families, but together they decided to take this guy and bring him to Jesus. When we decide to truly help someone in need, and not just with words, we must be aware that we will sacrifice part of our time and our own schedules.

Often there will be a price to pay, but it will always be worth it.

Another consideration I would like to make is that in Christian service, we need one another. There are things we can never do alone; we need people who share the exact same goal with us. It is no coincidence that there are four of them—the number four speaks to us of stability and order, but also of completeness.

Four friends who organized themselves to fulfill an important mission: to help someone in need. Let us pray that we may find friends with whom to share our journey and, united together, fulfill the mandate of Christ.

It is written that there is more joy in giving than in receiving… and that is exactly how it is. Besides, Jesus Himself told us:"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."John 15:13

The Word of God encourages us once again to do good, to bear one another's burdens—but for real!!!

Sometimes it is necessary to ask ourselves this question: how can I practically help that person? Beyond prayer, which is fundamental, sometimes there are people who need practical help. Perhaps they simply need a ride to go to church, or maybe they need a visit at home just to be comforted or lifted from the weight they are carrying.

There are so many, too many people who have been carrying enormous weights inside for a long time and live in loneliness every day, with this burden growing heavier and heavier.

We often hide behind the fact that, humanly speaking, we can't do anything for that person because the situation is too complicated. But I like these guys because, despite a huge problem like this man's disability, they don't think twice: they take him and bring him to Jesus!!!

Everything we can practically do for people will always have one ultimate purpose: to bring them to Jesus!!!

His Grace, then, will do the rest.