Word to the Wise
Friday, January 12, 2018 - Friday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22a and Mark 2:1-12]They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get ear Jesus because of the crowd, they opened 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." [Mark]
After showing that Jesus taught on his own authority, and has power over unclean spirits, the Gospel According to Mark now shows that Jesus has a power that belongs to God! He can forgive sins. It is this claim that scandalizes the scribes. But there is much more going on here that we might miss.
First of all, there is the faith of the stretcher-bearers. Jesus sees their faith (and determination, given the effort required to get the paralytic up on the roof and down in front of Jesus) and then heals the paralytic.
Second, Jesus does not simply cure the paralytic, he heals him. The paralytic is restored to his family and community. He can "go home." Healing is more than curing. There is restoration. And this comes about because of the faith and caring effort of the four friends. There is nothing like the healing power of friendship joined to prayer. Jesus recognizes their gift. I pray this gift can be real for us all. AMEN