Mark 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
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 the paralytic,
"Child, your sins 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 your 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."
Reflection
Ever since Vacation Bible School last summer, I love this Gospel story! What amazing friends this person has! There was a song on our VBS CD about this healing, and it is full of energy and faith. Here are the words:
It was a moment of desperation for my three friends and me.
We heard the Miracle Worker was somewhere down the street
We ran to get our sick friend, and we carried him in his bed
When we got to the house it was crowded and somebody turned and said,
"Better give up now. Better give in now. No way he's gonna see Jesus.
Better give up now. Better give in now. No way he's gonna be healed."
It didn't stop my determination. We had to find a way
To get our friend before Jesus, so we climbed to the roof that day.
We lifted up our sick friend by hoisting up his bed.
I gathered my friends around me and this is what I said,
"Tear the roof off, everybody. There's a way he's gonna see Jesus.
Tear the roof off, everybody. There's a way he's gonna be healed.
Don't give up now. Don't give in now. There's a way he's gonna see Jesus.
Tear the roof off, everybody. Our friend is gonna be healed."
It was a moment of inspiration to lower that bed down in.
When Jesus saw our faith, He said, "Son, I forgive your sins."
Some religious men were angry, said, "Only God forgives our sin."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, He said, "Son, get up and walk again."
Tear the roof off, everybody. There's a way he's gonna see Jesus.
Tear the roof off, everybody. There's a way he's gonna be healed.
Don't give up now. Don't give in now. There's a way he's gonna see Jesus.
Tear the roof off, everybody. Our friend is gonna be healed.
(I wish I could play the song for you, but if you want to giggle at some brave young adults trying to entertain a VBS crowd - and hear how fun and funky the song is -, this video is the song above.)
These people are so determined to get their paralyzed friend in to see Jesus that they take apart the roof and lower him down! Are we that devoted to our friends? What are we doing to bring our friends to Christ? Sure, we all live good lives and try to be an example to others, but are we inviting people to Mass if they do not go? to Adoration if they do not go? to some sort of class or retreat? to Confession if it has been too long?
Are we inviting them to really sit down with us and talk about our spiritual struggles and how Jesus has healed us in our lives? I cannot imagine that one single friend of mine would not appreciate a heartfelt discussion about faith. I appreciate these talks myself!
We are all called to evangelize; we know this. But, we are not asked to only evangelize to those outside of the fold. I think our life goal needs to be to get to Heaven and take as many people with us as possible. So, we must evangelize in our homes, in our families, in our neighborhoods, and with our friends, as well as out in our community among the poor and faithless.
Our faith needs to be openly discussed as part of everyday conversation, no matter how awkward or difficult it may be. If we are rejected, then all we can do is pray for that person, but we have to be witnesses to the light we have been given! We must bring others to Christ in whatever ways we can. Lord, give us the courage to show others your love in this way!
Are we ready to tear the roof off and go out of our way to get others to the Lord? Lent is about to begin. Let us use this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to really reflect on how we can not only find our own salvation but, perhaps more importantly, facilitate that of others, especially those whom we love the most!
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