Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 2, 2015 - Thursday in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 22:1b-19 and Matt 9:1-8]When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." [Matthew]
Children are quick to point out when someone telling a familiar story leaves something out. Adults can do this, too! Right away I notice that the evangelist Matthew has left out one of my favorite details of this particular passage. He does not mention the dramatic effort of the stretcher-bearers who take the paralytic up on the roof, tear off enough to make a hole big enough, and let the paralytic down into the room in front of Jesus! The other two synoptic evangelists, Mark and Luke, provide this colorful detail. Why Matthew leaves it out, I don't know, but their effort certainly underlines their faith. The word THEIR is important. Jesus responds to the faith of others who intercede on behalf of someone else.
If we stop and think about it, Jesus does this for a number of people: the Centurion, the Syro-Phoenician woman, Peter's mother-in-law etc.. The person being helped or healed is not the one asking for help or healing. It is the faith of the paralytic's friends that motivates Jesus to heal their friend. If we ever wonder why we should pray for others, this should put our mind and hearts at ease. It is why I pray for the Beloved Congregation every day! AMEN