Word to the Wise
Friday, January 16, 2026 - 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 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 sons 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 you 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." [Mark]
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There are so many dramatic details to this scene that an important one may be overlooked. It is easy to see why. The confusion and mess of ceiling debris falling into the crowd would be a first detail. Then Jesus reading the minds of the scribes could be another. And the assertion of his power to forgive sins is a direct challenge to the scribes. Finally, the healing of the paralytic is certainly a dramatic demonstration of Jesus' power. The detail that is easy to miss is the faith of the stretcher bearers! It is when Jesus sees THEIR faith, he then speaks to the paralytic!
Faithful and faith-filled friends can have an important impact on others who find themselves in difficult circumstances. These can include "paralysis" of any number of kinds - physical or emotional! Friends, or even a community, can bring a friend to Christ. We are not told what the paralytic thought about all of this. Jesus doesn't ask for some profession of faith from him. He just followed Jesus' command to get up, pick up his mat, and go home!!! He is completely restored to life in his community!
I have witnessed circumstances like this in campus ministry when a faithful Catholic friend or group of friends bring a friend who has "lost" his/her own faith to Mass or even just to some event at the Catholic student center. I have heard this story in the Sacrament of Reconciliation when someone comes back to the sacrament after a long time away. It is worth considering how we, individually or collectively, can "reach out" to bring others to Christ. You don't have to tear off the roof of the church to do it! AMEN
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