The Healing of a Paralytic

Today's Reflections   

 

 

                       

The Healing of a Paralytic 

http://graceandspace.org

Mk 2:1-12

¹When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. ²Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. ³They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. ⁴Unable 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. ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” ⁶Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, ⁷“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” ⁸Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? ⁹Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? ¹⁰But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—¹¹he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” ¹²He 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.”

We have never seen anything like this. In Capernaum, Jesus is struck by the faith of the persons who are bringing a paralytic. Because of their faith, he is moved to forgive the sins of the paralytic and cure him. But while the paralytic experiences God’s power through the healing words and actions of Jesus, some of the scribes are asking themselves how Jesus can forgive sins. God alone can forgive sins.

Jesus knows their thoughts; they cannot accept him. Nevertheless, Jesus does not waver in revealing the greatness of God: both in the paralytic’s cure and in the forgiveness of his sins. Unlike the scribes, the people are astounded at the healing and glorify God.

The Israelites, in the First Reading, do not take no for an answer even if Samuel has explained to them the disadvantages of having a human king. Reporting to the Lord the non-negotiable stance of the Israelites, Samuel is told by the Lord to grant their request; in rejecting Samuel, they are rejecting the Lord.

Do we continue to discern God’s will

even if we have made up our plans?