Today, we hear of Jesus’ great power to heal and to perform miracles in his proclamation of God’s kingdom. The paralytic’s friends believed so strongly in Jesus’ power to heal that they tore apart the house’s roof in order to get him to Jesus, showing the great determination they had. When the scribes hear that Jesus has forgiven the paralytic’s sins, they cannot believe it, because they believe that only God has the authority to forgive this man’s sins and the authority to unbind this sick man from his burden of guilt. Jesus shows the power of God’s redeeming love and mercy by healing this man of his physical ailment. But, as we can see how this man was stricken both physically and spiritually, Jesus heals him body, mind, and soul.
As we hear this story of healing today, we might wonder if we have any impediments or barriers that keep us from Jesus, if we have any burdens that are weighing us down. We might wonder if we ourselves have the confidence to approach Jesus just like the paralytic and his friends, in that same display of faith and determination, in doing whatever it takes to break through to him. Conversely, we may be more like the ever-present scribes, trying to trap Jesus, subjecting him to criticism and scorn? We need to remember that Jesus always knew how to deal with the scribes: he outwitted them and tricked them into stepping into their own traps.
As Jesus did with the paralytic, may we pray that we open ourselves to God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness. May God bring healing and restoration to our lives, to our bodies, our souls, and our minds. May God’s healing love touch every aspect of our lives, including our thoughts, our feelings, our attitudes, and our memories. May we be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may walk confidently in the way of Christ’s truth.
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