Sunday Gospel Reflections:

Sunday, February 22, 2009
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 2:1-12

The Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.
As I was reading Mk 2:1-12, I could immediately see such a scene taking place in
Ghana where houses are low and squatty with thatched roofs, and where a paralytic
would actually be carried on dried animal skin suspended between two long poles.
Jesus had been away from Capernaum for some time and it didn’t take long for
word of his return to spread throughout the village. The people had heard about
Jesus’ compassionate love and care for the sick and suffering, and they wanted to
see and to hear him.

The large crowd that had gathered in and around the house where Jesus was
preaching did not prevent the family from bringing their paralyzed loved one. They
were determined to present him directly and personally to Jesus for healing. Jesus
did not seem to find it distracting or annoying to have the roof removed from over
him, but rather seeing their faith he was moved to compassionate response for the
paralytic and gave him the greatest of gifts: complete healing and forgiveness.

The simple people in the crowd seemed to accept the experience for what it was,
but the scribes, closed-minded, set in their righteous ways, failed to recognize Jesus
and immediately had negative, condemning thoughts of him. Jesus picking up on
their critical thoughts challenged them with the question: “Which is easier to say to
the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say “Get up; pick up your stretcher and
walk’?” Wanting the scribes to know him and wanting to respond to the paralytic,
Jesus healed both his soul and his body.

Does any part of this story remind me of my own behavior?
Do I find myself identifying with the paralytic? With the ones carrying him to
Jesus? Or with the scribes setting around Jesus or with the crowd surrounding
Jesus? And can I identify with Jesus?

Do I believe that Jesus can reach deep within me and heal my most shrouded
area of pain?

What do I do in my daily living that reveals my belief?

--Reflection and questions by Frances Lorene Lange, CDP