Friendly Faith

Soirce: orthodoxcnristianity
The sound of breaking roof tiles
flying in a cloud of dust
reveals a gaping hole
and a paralytic man
slowly
descending on a mat
held secure by four faithful friends.

Puzzled people
crowded in sweaty suspense
gaze upwards at their trust
in the presence of the divine healer
who utters wonder words,
“Your sins are forgiven.”

Open to the sky
and open to what He would do
realization floods in
that God is in control, not them.
Operating now out of
transformed vision
and jaw dropping amazement
they watch him
the once weak one walk away
a new man.

A mustard seed of faith
bursts with an awareness of
surrendering to a power working in them*
doing more than what
they asked or imagined.

The faithful friends
become faith filled friend
in a miraculous moment,
for a little faith
has multiplied in myriad ways.

(based on Mark 2:1-12)

*Ephesians 3:20   

Viola Athaide, a student of Theology, is actively involved in parish life, leading Bible courses, the Prayer Group, and the Ministry with Maturing Adults.

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18 Comments
  • Friederika Priemer
    Posted at 08:33h, 04 February Reply

    Thank you, Viola, for this great poem!
    God Bless!

  • Karen Arthurs
    Posted at 09:12h, 04 February Reply

    “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,patience,kindness,generosity,faithfulness, gentleness,self control. Against such there is no law” {Gal 5:22-23}

  • mario coutinho
    Posted at 12:08h, 04 February Reply

    In sickness and in health, Viola, you miraculously ferret out words of wisdom and encouragement. You are an inspiration to us all.
    God Bless you

  • mario coutinho
    Posted at 12:12h, 04 February Reply

    In sickness and in health, Viola, you miraculously ferret out words of wisdom and encouragement. You are an inspiration to us all.
    God Bless you
    Mario and Olivia

  • Lorraine Majcen
    Posted at 12:26h, 04 February Reply

    Oh my goodness Viola! This poem has touched my heart. Revealing God’s power in friendship and faith. This is deep for me, as I a walk this journey on earth.

  • Tonis Kilp
    Posted at 12:55h, 04 February Reply

    Hi Viola, I hope you are feeling better, may God bless you and protect you. The poem is nice and yes we need to keep the faith, many blessings, Take care.

    “Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul except sin. God asks us to pray, but he forbids us to worry”

    St. Francis de Sales

  • Sue Woollard
    Posted at 13:20h, 04 February Reply

    We all need this kind if friend in our lives. Thank you Viola
    Sue

  • Sylvia Lee
    Posted at 14:00h, 04 February Reply

    Thank you for your poem and encouraging words. “The faithful friends become faith filled friends in miraculous moment …”

    God bless you, Viola.

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 15:18h, 04 February Reply

    Thank you Viola!

  • Christine Domingo
    Posted at 23:32h, 04 February Reply

    Thank you, Viola, for your unique interpretation of today’s reading! And, thank you for being a faithful faith- filled friend. I feel blest.

  • Linda R Rego
    Posted at 00:37h, 05 February Reply

    Beautiful reflection Viola. I love this story of faith.

  • Peggy Spencer
    Posted at 04:20h, 05 February Reply

    Beautiful words and so meaningful.

  • Susana P Que
    Posted at 10:16h, 05 February Reply

    Thanks for this Viola…so heartwarming.

    Thank you for being a faithful friend too!

    Again I thank the Lord for the gift He has given you.

    God bless

  • Maria Chrysant Susanto
    Posted at 12:39h, 05 February Reply

    Thank you Viola for sharing your life experience. Indeed we all need faithful friends. You are an inspiration for us.
    God bless you.

  • Maria Chrysant Susanto
    Posted at 12:47h, 05 February Reply

    Thanks for sharing Viola. We all need faithful friends in our life. You are my inspiration. Take care and God bless

  • Rita Coutinho
    Posted at 14:04h, 05 February Reply

    Viola, like the paralytic in Mark’s gospel, you are blessed with faithful friends and their prayers will rise like a fountain to God for your healing.
    More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of (Alfred Lord Tennyson)

  • rosa scarpino
    Posted at 11:36h, 06 February Reply

    Thanks and praise be to God for faithful friends, I’m blessed with a few and you Viola are one of them.
    May God continue to bless and protect you.

  • Fay
    Posted at 10:07h, 14 February Reply

    Your faith and surrendering to God’s holy will sees you through the challenges you have faced. Yes faith and trust even as small as a mustard seed is so powerful.
    God be with you both in your transition and next phase of life.
    So well written. Truly Gift of the holy spirit is upon you

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