How could someone who had been sick for thirty-eight years forget that he had been healed earlier that day? Why would Jesus have to exhort him to remember that he had been cured? How could he be so ungrateful to Jesus and so forgetful of His love?

Each year during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday, the Church reminds us to remember that we have been set free and healed by Jesus, our Redeemer. Yet how many of us forget His amazing mercy and become absorbed in our problems by Easter Monday? Jesus indicates that our minds are the problem.

Personal tragedies, disappointments, insults, and other negative experiences can remain in our thoughts for a long time. If we focus on our problems, we can forget about the great things that Jesus has done for us. We have to consciously choose to fix our mind on Jesus rather than on our problems (see Heb 12:2). "Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: the favors of the Lord are not exhausted" (Lam 3:20-22). The Lord declares: "The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create" (Is 65:17).

"Be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rm 12:2), and love the Lord "with all your mind" (Mt 22:37).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997