Gospel: 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 him,
“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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Mick H’s.
Reflection:
It seems that there were two miracles that Jesus performed in this Gospel. The first one is obvious when Jesus made the paralytic walk. The faith of the paralytic’s friends was remarkable. They were not deterred by the crowd but made a way to get their lame friend enter through the roof. Despite causing inconvenience to the owner of the house, the four men wanted their friend to be healed. And healed he was! The healing was not met with enthusiasm by all though. Scribes felt uneasy when Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sins. However, after healing the man everyone – Scribes included – “were all astounded and glorified God.” This was the second miracle: people had a change of heart.
- Which character in today’s Gospel do you easily relate with? Why?
- “If there is a will, there is a way.” How true is this saying to you?
- How did God change your heart?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Change our unbelieving hearts so that we may also witness Your healing and glorify You in our lives. Amen.
