***
Gospel: Mark 2: 1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
“Child, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”
–he said to the paralytic,
“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
There is no Christmas story in Mark’s Gospel. He begins with the baptism of our Lord, then moves Jesus immediately into the desert where he is tempted by Satan. After successfully resisting the devil, the Lord begins his public ministry, “in the power of the Spirit.”
For nearly a full chapter, it’s smooth sailing. Jesus successfully invites his disciples to follow him, he casts out a demon from a man in the synagogue, he heals Peter’s mother-in-law, and seemingly every sick person who manages to reach him.
But today the tide begins to turn.
This is the first of five conflict stories in Mark’s Gospel whereby the religious authorities begin turning on, questioning, and interrogating Jesus, which eventually evolves into a plot to kill him.
They cannot stand this itinerant preacher and miracle worker who, “teaches with authority.” Thus, from the beginning of his Gospel, Mark shapes the ear of his listener; only those with humble hearts open to faith can, “hear the Word of God and observe it.”
***
Today’s Gospel scene begins with Jesus teaching inside someone’s home. Some scholars suggest it was Peter’s.
Suddenly, bits of clay and dust begin falling from the ceiling as four men ply their way inside. Unable to reach Jesus on the ground because of the crowds, these men resort to something resembling a special operation, taking a surprise route from the roof.
Rather, than reproaching them for the physical damage caused, Jesus affirms them. As Mark tells us, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’”
***
Here we discover two important lessons for Christians.
There are often obstacles placed in the path of people coming to faith. In the case of today’s Gospel, there was the limp body of the paralytic, combined with the blockage of the crowds – either of which could’ve prevented these men from encountering Christ.
Secondly, faith has tremendous power; it can even affect the lives of those whom we love. Mark says nothing about the faith of the paralytic; it was the faith of his friends that caused the healing.
So, what are the obstacles in my path to faith? Do I have friends who intercede for me? Am I such a friend?
May the Lord grant us all the grace to never give up. An encounter with the Divine is worth every effort.
***
***
Image credits: (1) (2) Gospelimages (3) Brentwood Catholic Youth Service