A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
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?”
The Gospel passage today relates a well-known story from Jesus’ ministry to the people of Capernaum. He heals the paralytic, who rises, picks up his mat, and goes home at once. The people are astounded at Jesus’ ability to heal the man. At the same time, the scribes observe this and see blasphemy in Jesus’ actions as he forgives the man’s sins. It strikes me that the scribes witness four men breaking through the roof and fail to see the courage and determination to bring their friend to wholeness. Something profound is happening here, and they miss it—a moment not unlike at Jesus’ baptism when the heavens are opened and the voice of the Father thunders, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
God, help me learn to be a witness to the events of the day that attest to your presence. Although not as dramatic as a roof being broken through, your actions today are there for me to see if I watch out for them.
Jesus, you saw the faith of the paralytic and the men who lowered him through the roof. Give me the grace to be firm and steadfast in my faith in you. Keep me in your your care today and guide me back to you when I stray.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.