The Healing of a Paralytic

Today's Reflections

The Healing of a Paralytic

 

Lk 5:17-26

¹⁷One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. ¹⁸And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set [him] in his presence. ¹⁹But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. ²⁰When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” ²¹Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” ²²Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? ²³Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? ²⁴But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” ²⁵He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. ²⁶Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

Reflection:

When he saw their faith. The men who bring the paralytic have faith in Jesus. They believe that Jesus is their only hope for the man’s healing. They see compassion and mercy in Jesus. And he has the power to give fullness of life.

The determination and resourcefulness of these men are admirable. Undeterred by the crowd, they go up on the roof and lower the sick man in front of Jesus. The Lord wishes us to help carry one another’s burdens and to bring others to him.

The paralytic’s stretcher describes his helplessness and symbolizes his hopelessness. Jesus challenges the paralytic to rise, pick up his stretcher, and go home. Jesus inspires him to put aside helplessness and hopelessness.

This is what Jesus continues to do to us. Our cross may be heavy, our chalice bitter, and our road rough. Yet, we are not hopeless, lost, or defenseless. We have Jesus. We can rely on him. He will surely help and heal. And he is the best we can ever have.

Who are the persons whom I wish to bring to Jesus for help and healing?