1. Think of a time when you witnessed an act of compassion. Describe what you saw.

2. Have you ever withheld compassion from someone in need? Why?

3. How can you follow Jesus' example and show compassion even to those you find unattractive?

I was riding the subway train to Manhattan and the train was crowded as usual. A homeless person came into the cart and smelled up the whole train. We all wanted to throw up. People moved to the side and didn't want to look at the homeless, but someone from the train had some sandwiches and was asking people if they were hungry ~ no charge. No one moved. Not even the homeless person. I figured at this point the homeless was either on drugs and that's why they didn't feel hunger. I was wrong. The homeless person was proud and did not want to seem like he was begging for food. The person gave the sandwich to the homeless and he finally took it.

I must confess that I have on many occasions. Last week as a matter of fact I had just picked up my son from the hospital and was waiting for the light to turn green. A lady with a cardboard sign approached my car. The cardboard read like this " I just lost my job and need money to feed my three children and the rent. Any amount will do." I looked at the lady and sure I was moved by the sign, but I didn't reach into my purse to give. Why? Maybe living in the city has made me suspicious of every person that has a cardboard sign? Maybe with all the taxes that I pay to services to help I feel that people just want to get over as usual. Still not sure?

I really need to learn from Jesus. I need to show compassion no matter what I think or feel.

After reading what jesus did for the person with leprosy and reading about the act of compassion I started thinking about what kind of compassion I have witnessed. I like Tanya have seen people with signs asking for monetary help. I am also a little suspicious when it comes to giving someone any amount of money. But my mom thought me a valuable lesson. My mother has been out of a job for a little under a year. A couple of months ago she was entering a fast food place and there was a gentlemen asking for $ as he held the door open. He asked my mom for a bit of change and my mother said I won't give you change, but if you allow me to I'll buy you something to eat. I am so proud of my mother. I too wish I can be more like Jesus......

1. Think of someone who has been healed physically, emotionally or spiritually. What were the circumstances surrounding that person's healing?

The one person that comes to my mind is myself. I know that sounds kind of selfish, but I just want to take the time to boast and praise my Lord for what He has done.

Physically ~ It has been 7 years exactly when God healed my body physically. I had a horrible accident at home ~ fell from a ladder while trying to put a decoration and the ladder closed. I went flying down straight onto my wrist and shattered my bones into 25 tiny pieces. Doctors operated on the wrist and told me I would never use it, but God was so merciful towards me. He heard my cries, my prayers and granted me another miracle. Right now I am typing with both hands and my wrist is holding up just fine.

Bible Reading: Mark 2:1-12

Question a. What risks did the men take who carried the paralytic?
Question b. Why were the scribes upset when Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins?
Question c. Why did Jesus forgive the paralytic's sins before healing his body?
Question d. How did the people respond to the miracle? How is their response different from the way people respond to God's work today?

a.I believe the men did take a great risk carrying the paralytic on top of the roof and then removing the roof and lowering his bed down to Jesus. The friend could have slipped, gotten hurt or worst the roof could have collasped causing injury to many.

In those days the roofs were easy to remove, because they were held down by stones, but anything could have gone wrong with such a large crowd. They had to be cautious with their friend, but they were willing to do it to get their friend healed.

b. The scribes were known to be the "Priests" the caretakers of the word (Law) how could a man forgive sins? Only God could forgive sins, but this was no ordinary man ~ this was the son of God, but they were to proud or blind to see that the (Law) was being fulfilled before them.

c. Instead, Jesus first addressed the deeper need. He said first: "Your sins are forgiven." Upon hearing this, the crowd must have felt a let down. They expected a physical healing, not a spiritual healing. I believe the paralytic felt that his sins caused his disease. Many of us think this way and we are heavily burdened by this. I know when Jesus forgave him he felt relieved. We must remember that Jesus is the only one that can forgive us for our sins ~ God himself. Jesus knows that if we are forgiven we will resurrect with Him for eternity. Healing just our physical body is good, but is temporal.

d. The people praised and admired the Lord for the miracle he performed. They worshiped him and acknowledge that He was God. Today I believe we take miracles for granted ~ blessings for granted and we don't have a heart of gratitude. I speaking for myself. I need to acknowledge and praise God more. He is worthy of praise. He died for my sins and forgave me. He healed me in every way possible given me authority and love when I did not deserve it. What an awesome God!

Spiritually: ithink of myself & my hubby. I leas lst or a long time. I knew that I was missing something. I was hungry to know more but could not find the right place to feed. Me the knowledge I needed, The words I needed to hear....

Today I can say I am spiritually healing and learning more of the work of Christ!

A) the men who carried the paralytic risked their lives. Not only by carrying him around the crowd but by climbing on top of roof tops that were not stable. They'll could have fallen off the too tops injured themselves and those who could have been below them.

B) I think The priests were upset. They questioned "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7 NIV).

C). I believe that our spiritual needs come first. Although many of us might look for physical healing but if we have faith in God He will make all things possible!

D) the people were ecstatic. They praised Him for his miracles whether it was something small or not He was praised. Many of us today including myself take things for granted and we forget to praise Him and give Him credit for even the small things in life! This is something that I continue to work on myself!