Tag: paralyzed man

“Your sins are forgiven.” | Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

From the responsorial psalm: “What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, we will declare to the generation to come, The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength. Do not forget the works of the Lord!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:40-45)

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.

Mark tells us that so many people came to see Jesus when he returned to Capernaum, that there was not enough room for them as they crowded around the home where he was staying. As he taught them, friends of a paralyzed man brought him to Jesus but were unable to get to Jesus because of the crowd. They resorted to climbing the roof, breaking through it, and lowering the man down on a mat. “When Jesus saw their faith,” Mark tells us, “he said to him, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’” Jesus knew what the scribes were thinking and responded to them, making clear that as the Son of God, he is able to heal the sick and forgive sins. The miracle takes place before astounded witnesses who glorify God and say, “We have never seen anything like this.”

God, you know me better than I know myself. You know that I am sometimes subject to paralyzing fear and anxiety in discerning the next best step in daily life. Help me call to mind—to bring into the present moment—that the place to let my hope rest is in you: “That they too may rise and declare to their sons that they should put their hope in God. . . . Do not forget the works of the Lord!” The people who witness the paralyzed man rise and walk have never seen anything like it. To see is to know, to witness is to trust in what is seen. Give me the grace to see without the benefit of sight, trusting that Jesus sees my faith. At the end of the day, I want to say of the works he performs in my life: “I have never seen anything like this.” Saint Anthony, pray for us!

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.

“Which is easier, to say . . .” | Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:1-8)

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

As Jesus encounters a paralyzed man on a stretcher, he sees the faith of those who bring the man to him. The words, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven” trigger some of the scribes, who believe he is blaspheming. Jesus’ response to them makes clear that as the Son of God he heals physical and spiritual illnesses. “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” As the miracle of the man’s healing takes place, Jesus reveals his compassion and divine authority, inviting all of us to have faith in him as the Son of God who came to restore us to the Father.

From the collect for today’s Mass, celebrating our nation’s birth: “Father of all nations and ages, we recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

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.

“Rise and walk.” | Monday of the Second Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 5:17-26)

Jesus knew the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

As Jesus teaches, some men bring a man on a stretcher who is paralyzed. Because of the crowd, they are unable to bring the man before Jesus, so they go up to the roof and lower the stretcher through the roof. Seeing their faith, Jesus says, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Knowing the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus poses a question: Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or rise and walk. As Jesus tells the man to rise, pick up his stretcher, and go home, he stands up immediately and went home, glorifying God. Seized with astonishment, they all glorify God, and struck with awe, say: “We have seen incredible things today.” In response to their faith, Jesus demonstrates that he has authority to forgive sins and by that same authority heal illnesses.

God, open my mind to the truth of your healing power. It is not limited either to spiritual or physical dimensions of the person but has at its source your divine authority as exercised by your Son. Let me see the relationship between sin and overall well-being, ready always to go to the sacraments to receive forgiveness, strength, and spiritual nourishment. Those who witnessed the healing of the paralyzed man were amazed and filled with awe, giving you glory. Help me recall the times in my life when I have witnessed in awe your divine authority as a merciful and saving God who comes to strengthen and restore us.

From the first reading: “They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!”

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.