1/12/2024 (Friday) Today’s gospel reading: Mark 2:1-12

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

1/12/2024 (Friday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Mark 2:1-12

Some people brought a paralytic man to be healed but the first thing Jesus did was to forgive the man’s sins. Jesus knew everything about the man because He is God. He knew that forgiveness alone is powerful and He knew very well that sin is the root cause of many diseases. He knew that forgiveness and acceptance can heal paralysis. He knew what the paralytic man needs to be healed.

Psychosomatic is the description experts have used to identify physical diseases caused or aggravated by mental and emotional condition such as un-forgiveness, lack of acceptance and other emotional disorders. No amount of physicians’ attention or medicine intake will cure such a “dis-ease”. But as soon as the patient learns of his or her own worth as a human being brought about by love, forgiveness and acceptance, true healing occurs. Hence, all throughout the gospels, Jesus emphasized the need to love others as we love ourselves and to always forgive one another.

In the gospel passage, we notice how the Scribes put malice on the part of Jesus. Even today, there are people who are likely to criticize and who would rather prefer to see the dark side of things. Such a negative attitude is a major hindrance to healing. We must be careful not to be distracted by these people. It is also possible that we are this kind of people, the modern Scribes so to speak. Like Jesus, we must be courageous but humble enough to go on doing good despite the negativities around us. It is also possible that we are this kind of people, the modern Scribes so to speak. Like Jesus, we must be courageous but humble enough to go on doing good despite the negativities around us.

Let the gospel message be written in our hearts and minds. If we want healing, we need to forgive, not only those who sinned against us but more importantly, ourselves. Let us allow Jesus to cleanse us from guilt, shame and other negativities. Then, allow the river of love and peace to flood our innermost being.

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