13 January, 2023 | Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel: Mk 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.”

Reflection:  

Can we relate to any of the characters of this gospel story? At one point or the other, we may have experienced some sort of paralysis in mind and spirit, if not in physical body. It is a condition where one feels totally clueless as to what next?  It is also the truth that there have been numerous occasions where good friends have given us the needed push, an honest confrontation or feedback or an encouragement and much needed backing that led us soar high with free wings, as W.H. Auden puts it, “I was able to approach the future as a friend, without a wardrobe of excuses.” Faith renders the door of our hearts open for God to enter in, to fix and heal the mess that sin incurred upon our soul. Let us value the power of intercessory prayers in our life and those of others. 

 Action Plan: 

Pray for the grace to be able to recognise the unspoken pain or hurts, the need to be listened to, without judgment and be part of the support system to others that we ourselves often seek in our family and friends' circle. 

Read and Reflect: