Word to the Wise
Friday, January 14, 2022 - Friday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22a and Mark 2:1-12,381]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 dow the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, "Child , your sins are forgiven." [Mark]
Jesus continues to show his power and authority in this dramatic scene. What may escape our attention in the drama of healing and the confrontation with the scribes is a simple line: "When Jesus saw THEIR faith......." Those four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus.
Time and again, I have seen the impact of a caring community on the life of a person who, although not physically paralyzed, may be spiritually or morally paralyzed - frozen in patterns of life that lead nowhere. A student may invite a roommate or friend to attend Mass or some other event at the Catholic student center. A co-worker whose simple and undramatic faith may respond to the curious question of a fellow worker that leads to an invitation to a community of faith.
The paralytic is given back his life in community. Jesus' makes clear his authority to forgive sins. But those four friends deserve praise for what they did. We can imitate them. AMEN