On Instant Gratification

We hear in this Sunday's Gospel that a crowd gathered “immediately” when it became known that Jesus was at a neighbor’s home teaching. We also hear that the paralytic “immediately” did as the Lord commanded him and picked up his bed and walked home. In a society that is so in love with instant gratification, this morning’s Gospel lesson is a gentle reminder about how we should have our priorities. When Christ calls us, we should immediately respond to Him as the paralytic did in this morning’s Gospel. It is in this immediate action to follow the Commandments of God that we realize our salvation. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14.21)During the Divine Liturgy, each Sunday, we hear the words “With the fear of God, with faith and love draw near.” The Lord is calling each of us to communion with Him. Will we delay and be like the scribes who doubted the saving power of Jesus or will we be like the paralytic and immediately respond and be saved. Let us not delay. The only true instant gratification is found in the Lord.