Divine Initiative and Intervention

March 17, 2026 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Readings for Today Saint Patrick, Bishop—Optional Memorial

Christ Healing the Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda by Bartolome Esteban Murillo Video When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. John 5:6–8 Let us begin by imagining the overwhelming joy of this man, who was healed after he had been ill for thirty-eight years. He lay on a mat near the Pool of Bethesda, a place where tradition held that the first to enter the water after it was stirred would be healed. Some later traditions associated the stirring of the waters with the Archangel Raphael, whose name means ‘healing of God.’ While Scripture does not link Raphael to this story, his healing nature from other biblical traditions makes the association meaningful for reflection. When Jesus approaches the paralyzed man and asks, “Do you want to be well?” the question seems almost unnecessary. Who wouldn’t desire healing after suffering for so long? Yet this question points to a deeper reality—one that transcends physical illness. The man’s condition and Jesus’ question symbolize the spiritual paralysis that can afflict any soul trapped in habitual sin. Just as the man could not heal himself, so too are we unable to free ourselves from the weight of sin without divine intervention. Jesus asks us the same question today: Do we truly want to be freed from our spiritual paralysis? The man’s response to Jesus also reveals an important truth. He says, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” This admission reflects a deep hopelessness that those who struggle with habitual sin often experience. Years of failure to overcome sin can lead to discouragement, even resignation. But this very discouragement is where grace begins to work. In acknowledging our inability to heal ourselves, we open the door to Christ’s healing power. Perhaps Jesus chose this man precisely because he had lost all hope. After thirty-eight years of suffering, he had no one to help him and no expectation of healing. Yet Jesus, in His mercy, intervened. This is a powerful message for all who struggle with sin and despair of overcoming it: There is always hope in Christ. He takes the initiative when we cannot, bringing healing where we least expect it. Picture Christ coming to you today, asking, “Do you want to be well?” Our response should mirror the man’s humility: Lord, I am powerless to free myself from my sin. In this admission of weakness, we allow Christ to work in us. It is through our humility that we prepare to receive His grace. Reflect today on any sin—whether venial or grave—that has become a habitual part of your life. Have you grown resigned to these sins, thinking they are impossible to overcome? Are there sins you have become so accustomed to that you no longer recognize their spiritual harm? Christ asks you today: Do you want to be healed? Acknowledge your weakness, confess your inability to heal yourself, and wait on the Lord. Be attentive, and you will see He is already taking divine initiative, working in ways you might not yet realize. My attentive Lord, You are fully aware of my sin and the burden it imposes upon me. You come to me night and day, asking if I want to be well. Please help me to be attentive to You and Your gentle invitations. Help me to have hope that I can change, grow closer to You, and become the saint You want me to become. Jesus, I trust in You.

The Swiss-style “Time Bank” system

THE KNOWLEDGE!

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Posted by 

Neeraj Tiwari

 

Mar 3

A student studying in Switzerland shared this experience:

During my studies in Switzerland, I rented a house near my school. My landlady, Christina, was a 67-year-old single elderly woman who had worked as a secondary school teacher before retiring. Switzerland’s pension system is very good, and it provides her with enough support in her later years so she does not have to worry about food and shelter.

One day, I learned that she had taken up a job caring for an 87-year-old single elderly man. I asked her whether she was working for money. Her answer surprised me: “I am not working for money. I am depositing my time in a ‘Time Bank,’ and when I am old and unable to move, I can withdraw it.”

This was the first time I had heard of the concept of a “Time Bank.” Curious, I asked her to explain more. The “Time Bank” is described as an elderly care pension program developed by the Swiss Federal Social Security system. People save “time” by caring for elderly individuals, and when they themselves grow old, become ill, or need assistance, they can withdraw that saved time.

Applicants must be healthy, good at communication, and caring. They provide daily or weekly assistance to elderly people in need. Their service hours are credited to personal “time” accounts within the social security system.

She worked twice a week, spending two hours each time helping the elderly man — doing grocery shopping, cleaning his room, taking him out for sunlight, and talking with him.

After one year of service, the “Time Bank” calculates the total hours and issues a “Time Bank Card.” When she needs care herself, she can use the card to withdraw her accumulated “time and interest.” After verification, the Time Bank arranges volunteers to care for her either at home or in the hospital.

One day, while I was at school, my landlady called to say she had fallen off a stool while cleaning a window. I immediately took leave and sent her to the hospital. Her ankle was fractured, and she needed bed rest for some time.

As I was preparing to apply for leave from school to care for her, she told me not to worry because she had already submitted a withdrawal request to the Time Bank. Within less than two hours, the Time Bank sent a nursing caregiver to look after her.

For the next month, the caregiver visited daily, talked with her, and prepared nutritious meals. With attentive care, my landlady soon recovered. After regaining her health, she returned to her “work,” saying she intended to save more time in the Time Bank while she was still healthy.

Today, in Switzerland, using “Time Banks” to support old age has reportedly become common practice. It not only reduces pension expenses but also helps solve other social issues. Many Swiss citizens support this model of elderly care.

According to surveys by Swiss pension organizations, more than half of Swiss citizens are willing to participate in such elderly care services. The Swiss government has also passed laws supporting the Time Bank pension model.

With the growing number of elderly people living alone in many Asian countries, this Swiss-style “Time Bank” system could serve as a useful option.

Please share this concept widely so that the Indian government may also consider implementing a similar scheme in the future.

What is a lie people tell themselves to feel better about the world around them?

Chris Kaumba

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Communicator of Ideas & Principles that inspire and empower.4y

Interesting question, in my view, one of the many lies we tell ourselves to feel better is the lie that someone else other than ourselves is responsible for our current state, our happiness, the quality of our life, and our reality. In other words, the lie that our well-being, our happiness, and our life, in general, is the responsibility of other people or the government.

Yes, you and I cannot control everything in our environment; in most cases, we cannot control that which happens to us. Truth be told, our justification, reasons, or excuses we may advance, may make sense. However, the truth is that in the end, no amount of justification, reasons, or excuses will change a thing.

Nevertheless, we are always 100% in control of our reactions (perception, attitude, emotion), our choices and actions, or the choices/actions we do not make.

The effects of that are that,

• · One is likely not going to take ownership (victim mentality)
• · One is likely not going to take responsibility (take charge)
• · One is likely not going to be accountable (liable)
• · There will be Less or lack of proper personal investment (knowledge and healthy)
• · There will be Less or lack of proper personal care and love
• · There will be an attitude of carelessness and entitlement
• · There will be a lack of self-awareness, disorganization, and lack of self-regulation.
• · One is likely to blame everyone or everything but himself or herself.

In essence, Fyodor Dostoevsky highlights the following above lying, he says; “Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”

I do realize that for many of us, lying is easier and convenient, be that as it may, we should never forget that the truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever. It is time to step up, it is time to grow, time to progress, time to be a blessing, time to live life and live fully.

In ending,

“I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances.” - Martha Washington

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” - Nelson Mandela

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” - Jim Rohn

What is the best way to stay healthy?

Aashu Tomar

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Hustle Humble Health Updated 9mo

What is the best way to stay healthy?

I am not saying, that I have reached the pinnacle of staying healthy but out of 10 I would say I might be some where between 7 to 8.5..here are some tips,,

1. Say no to alcohol and smoking, it will save your money and in return it will provide you with good health of lungs and liver.
2. Don't try to over eat, just eat 85% to 90% of your appetite.
3. Do some exercise on daily or alternate days.

Pic source-Gallery

1. Don't eat junk food like burgers pizza or Momos on daily basis, it can take A toll on your liver and metabolism.
2. Don't skip your morning breakfast. Tho my fav is milk and banana packed with energy.

• After dinner go for a walk, 15 mins will be sufficient.

Thanks for reading though I have written it in some haphazard way but from My side I have given genuine tips which I try to stick with.

Persevere💫

Why is the Philippines still richer and look a lot more modern than Vietnam?

Ngo The Hoan

Software Engineer with an interest in historyUpvoted by 

Đức Thắng Phạm

, lives in Vietnam (2001-present) and 

Norbert Meyer

, lives in Vietnam (2010-present) 5y

Because many Filipinos love to dig out photos of Vietnam like this:

They then proceed to compare it with photos of their cities like this:

Then conclude that their country looks richer and more developed. But the reality is much more complicated.

You see, each tiny white blob you see in the Vietnam photo is a private property. Something that looks like this on land:

They are called tube houses, a characteristic feature of Vietnamese cities. Tube houses came about due to people’s desire to make use of their small land. The more money you have, the more you build up.

The government is lenient, allowing you to build as many storeys as you like. So it’ completely normal to wake up one day and find your window blocked off because your neighbour decides to add another storey.

So why is this important to this discussion?

These houses are almost always used as commercial properties as well as place of resident if it is facing a street. Which means at least 50% of the small white blobs you see are commercial properties and businesses, at least 70% of them have uses other than residential. Their value will only go up and up as Vietnam’s economy grows. And they have been, which is why the number of rich people grow exponentially in Vietnam.

Importance of land value and home ownership

Have you ever wondered why there are so many family owned hotels and guest houses in Vietnam?

Because the tube houses were turned into a hotel business by the family.

If the business doesn’t do well? Well they can close it and turn the lower floor into a phone shop, the second floor into a childcare centre etc etc

Every single business you see in this photo is someone’s house:

If you look at the first Vietnam skyline photo, you’re probably thinking that Vietnamese cities have no trees. But quite the opposite, the trees simply got blocked off by the height of the tube houses. So the only trees you see are parks.

And you must be thinking the tall tube houses only exist in Hanoi and HCMC, but not at all. The tube houses turned businesses are all over Vietnam .

Notice the tube houses on two sides are as tall as the government building in the middle.

So to Filipinos, Vietnam might look poorer than the Philippines because their definition of rich and developed is tall skyscrapers and many cars on the roads.

But to Vietnamese people, we understand that tall skyscrapers don’t mean they are richer. Because people who own those skyscrapers belong to the 1%.

But people who own Vietnamese tube houses are at least 90% of our population. And people who own tube houses that can be turned into a business is at least 80%.

Tube houses in Hai Duong, a small town East of Hanoi

Tube house turned hotel. Tube house can be as high as you like.

Keeping up with the Jones Vietnamese style is keeping up with your neighbor’s tube house. Don’t be the shame of the neighborhood by having the shortest house!

If you look at this photo, you might think a company built them, but no, they were built by separate families:

In other countries in the world, commercial properties are often owned by the rich and then leased out, but in Vietnam, if your land faces the street, congratulations you own a commercial property

Tube houses in Quang Ninh province. You can design them any way you like.

And guess what? Yes tube houses can be turned into offices as well:

Yes, these are tube houses.

You know we have many housing developments that look expensive and fancy like this:

But many of these people would rather have a tube house in a busy district, facing the street than one of these mansions if given the choice.

Perspective about skyscrapers

Skyscrapers are proofs that some people are rich, but are they proofs that the general population is rich?

One guy owns this, the tallest building in Southeast Asia in 2020:

But can we say we are rich because of him? Can we say we are richest in Southeast Asia because his building is the tallest?

We actually love and look up to rich people, but it makes us the happiest to think everyone is contributing to Vietnam’s economy and not just piggybacking on a few rich people. As I think it’s unfair for them to having to carry more than 100 million people.

So to answer this question: looking rich is a perception. So our definition of looking rich is actually different from Filipinos, as seen through many answers here.

To determine which country is really richer, I guess we will have to wait until the Vietnam and Philippines new GDP is announced next year, as both Vietnam and Philippines are undergoing GDP revision. Either way it’s best for both countries to continue to improve the lives of their citizens, as richer citizens are synonymous with richer countries.

Miracles and Faith

March 16, 2026 Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent Readings for Today

The Centurion Kneeling at the Feet of Christ By Joseph-Marie Vien Video “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. John 4:48–50 What is the most precious gift our Lord could give to you? If your spouse, child, or close friend were gravely ill, would a miracle be the gift you sought? If your financial situation were dire, would you ask for monetary assistance? If you were suffering from a chronic disease, would your prayer be for a cure? Though we should entrust these situations to God’s grace, it’s important to understand that the gift of faith far surpasses any immediate miracle, assistance, or relief we might seek. Faith is a most precious gift because it enables us to turn away from our limited assessment of earthly situations and be open to God’s wisdom, which far surpasses anything we could conceive of by ourselves. Though Jesus performed many miracles, He regularly challenged those whose faith was based on their desire for signs and wonders. In today’s Gospel, a royal official, likely of high rank, traveled from Capernaum to Cana, about twenty miles, because his child was dying. His journey illustrates faith in Jesus’ divine authority, but his faith was imperfect—he believed Jesus had to be physically present to heal his son. Jesus heals the child from a distance, but He also challenges the official and the crowd: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” Jesus desires a faith that trusts in His word, not one that depends on visible signs. When we pray with a litany of requests, God in His mercy hears us. Sometimes He grants them, and sometimes He doesn’t. But He wants us to know that such prayers are not the ideal. God already knows our needs better than we do. He knows our struggles within family, finances, health, and every other detail of our lives. The ideal prayer is one of adoration and trust. It’s a prayer that surrenders everything to God without dictating the outcome. It trusts God’s wisdom more than our own, enabling us to rest in His loving care, unburdened by our difficulties. The royal official’s faith grew when he believed Jesus’ word without needing Him to be physically present. This is evident when he learned that his son was healed at the exact time Jesus said, “Your son will live.” The official’s faith was deepened, and his whole household came to believe. This shows how true faith, once rooted in trust, grows and spreads to others. If this man’s faith had not matured, it could have been lost if another crisis arose and no miracle followed. A deeper faith rests in God’s will, whether or not another miracle occurs. The same is true for us. Our faith must not depend on God’s answer to our prayers. If He allows suffering, we must trust Him. If He heals, we must trust Him. Our faith must remain strong, rooted in Who God is, not in what He does. Reflect today on the depth of your faith and how it shapes your prayers. Believe, worship God for who He is, love Him above all else, and trust His perfect will. Then entrust yourself and your loved ones to His providence, believing that God knows what is best. My miraculous Lord, You are all-powerful and capable of anything You will. Please grant me a depth of faith that enables me to trust You more than I trust myself. May I always believe in You and worship You, not because of the favors You do for me, but because of Who You are. Jesus, I trust in You.