The House of Mercy
In Jerusalem where the Lord was born, near the temple, there was a baptism sacred place for all the aliments to be cured known as in Hebrew “Bethsaida” to mean the “The House of Mercy.” This holy place had five porticoes and steps for the aliment to enter the pool and be baptized. On the first Sabbath Day, the Angel of God came down from the heavens and stirred up the water, and the first to enter was cured. Many were cured witnessing this miracle of God and work of salvation in faith and hope of His mercy.
At one of the porticoes in Bethsaida, there was an impotent man, embedded for 38 years. On that era, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ visited that house of mercy and saw the impotent man lying in bed. He knew he was paralytic for many years but still asked saying, “Will you be made whole?” The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another step down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.” (John 5:7-9)
The Lord’s mercy is immense for He has paved a way of healing of our body and soul although we are sinful. There are many Bethsaida in our globe. But faith is what we lack. Israelis have endowed God’s mercy for both of body cure and salvation of soul. They were healed from their aliments and cleansed from their maladies. These are in-scripted in Holy Scriptures and thus we shall believe.
We might have read or heard sacred Baptism places in our Country Ethiopia. In the capital city Addis Ababa alone are found more than 200 Local Parishes having baptism places. Many have been cured by the holy water in these places accord the Lord’s covenant for His Holy Mother Saint Virgin Mary, Angels, Saints and Martyrs. At the “Head Parish Entoto Patrichate of Sun, Saint Mary Monastery, where the portion of the Holy Cross dwelled at, virus carriers of HIV AIDS were healed by the Holy Water whilst medical doctors were unable to find cure for it. The recent pandemic disease Corona though spread and killed in millions, people were healed from the illness by baptism in our country. The Holy water of Jordan River that our Lord was baptized with is found in “Gishen Debre Kerbea.” Not only this, but also, those in cage and hardship even for their take-careers were healed from their malaises by the holy water found in “Debre Libanos” monastery of our righteous father Abune Tekele Haymanot.
When bestowed cure we humans have to think of one thing. Our Lord heal us from our malady, is for us to have faith in Him and realizing His power, to seek salvation of soul. Our aliment which made in pain and suffering will be irradiated in instance if we have faith; otherwise our lack of belief will cost us our soul. This is what the impotent man faced. The response he gave to our Lord when He asked him, “Will you be made whole?” is the fact of having no support to enter the water.
Our Lord asked the impotent man if he willed to be healed knowing He will betray Him. The Jews had then asked who told him to carry his bed and walk; but the man did not know the Lord, since there were other people gathered and He apart from him. Later on the Lord found the healed man in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you.” (John 5:14) The man went to the Jews and told them it was the Lord was Who healed him. Furthermore, he sided with the Jews and sue the Lord and even slapped His face.
We need to learn this story of the impotent man. It is vital to understand our Lord will not only be healing our aliments but our soul. However, the impotent man did not know or realize this truth and thus sewed His creator. He disappointed the Lord of mercy. We shall then be apprehended from these kinds of harmful acts and think for our salvation of soul on wards receiving body cure.
We shall believe our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the redeemer of all and bestows healing of body and soul redemption. Then live by creed of religion and good endeavors.
May God’s mercy, Holy Mother Saint Mary’s and all the Saints Intercession and Mediation be with us, Amen!