19 February 2012, Sunday
Gospel: Mk 2:1-12
The Healing of a Paralytic
When Jesus returned to Capernaum some time later, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven’. Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this’.
Reflection
Many of us would have had a God-experience at some point in our lives; a moment of feeling the love of God particularly close to our hearts or of feeling a nudge to pray daily or to be more Christ-like towards others. In the spur of the moment, we may feel inspired and promise God and ourselves that we will start reading the bible, pray and try to take God more seriously. More often than not, even though we might have begun working on these, it does not take long for us to slacken and get caught up with the many alternative time-fillers that seem more exciting and attractive. After all, when the God-experience fades away, we no longer feel God and speaking to Him seems like a monologue that gives no certainty of His presence with us.
Today’s Gospel models a determination and faith that eventually makes possible what was originally deemed as impossible. The four men could have easily surrendered to their discouragement at the sight of the great crowd in their way. But to get to Jesus at all cost, they removed the very obstacle of the roof, damaging someone’s property and perhaps, having to compensate for it thereafter. Jesus must have been stunned at their extreme measures but was nonetheless moved by their faith.
What stands between you and Jesus? How would you remove these obstacles?
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