Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
Lectionary: 309
Lectionary: 309
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| St.Anthony, Abbot |
All
the elders of Israel came in a body to Samuel at Ramah
and said to him, “Now that you are old,
and your sons do not follow your example,
appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.”
Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them.
He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer:
“Grant the people’s every request.
It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.”
Samuel delivered the message of the LORD in full
to those who were asking him for a king.
He told them:
“The rights of the king who will rule you will be as follows:
He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses,
and they will run before his chariot.
He will also appoint from among them his commanders of groups
of a thousand and of a hundred soldiers.
He will set them to do his plowing and his harvesting,
and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.
He will use your daughters as ointment makers, as cooks, and as bakers.
He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves,
and give them to his officials.
He will tithe your crops and your vineyards,
and give the revenue to his eunuchs and his slaves.
He will take your male and female servants,
as well as your best oxen and your asses,
and use them to do his work.
He will tithe your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves.
When this takes place,
you will complain against the king whom you have chosen,
but on that day the LORD will not answer you.”
The people, however, refused to listen to Samuel’s warning and said,
“Not so! There must be a king over us.
We too must be like other nations,
with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare
and fight our battles.”
When Samuel had listened to all the people had to say,
he repeated it to the LORD, who then said to him,
“Grant their request and appoint a king to rule them.”
and said to him, “Now that you are old,
and your sons do not follow your example,
appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.”
Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them.
He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer:
“Grant the people’s every request.
It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.”
Samuel delivered the message of the LORD in full
to those who were asking him for a king.
He told them:
“The rights of the king who will rule you will be as follows:
He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses,
and they will run before his chariot.
He will also appoint from among them his commanders of groups
of a thousand and of a hundred soldiers.
He will set them to do his plowing and his harvesting,
and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.
He will use your daughters as ointment makers, as cooks, and as bakers.
He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves,
and give them to his officials.
He will tithe your crops and your vineyards,
and give the revenue to his eunuchs and his slaves.
He will take your male and female servants,
as well as your best oxen and your asses,
and use them to do his work.
He will tithe your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves.
When this takes place,
you will complain against the king whom you have chosen,
but on that day the LORD will not answer you.”
The people, however, refused to listen to Samuel’s warning and said,
“Not so! There must be a king over us.
We too must be like other nations,
with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare
and fight our battles.”
When Samuel had listened to all the people had to say,
he repeated it to the LORD, who then said to him,
“Grant their request and appoint a king to rule them.”
Responsorial
Psalm PS 89:16-17, 18-19
R.
(2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
For you are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our King.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
For you are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our King.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Gospel MK 2:1-12
When
Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
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?”
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.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
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?”
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.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Meditation: "We never saw anything like
this!"
Do
you know the healing power of forgiveness? Jesus' treatment of sinners upset
the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because
of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the
man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood
that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or woman from
their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could
rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he
showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple
of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but
spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his
body as well. The Lord is every ready to bring us healing of body, soul, and
mind. Do you allow anything to keep you from Jesus?
"Lord
Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and
restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch
every area of my life – my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and
memories. Pardon my offences and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit
that I may walk confidently in your truth and righteousness."
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Memorial
of Saint Anthony, Abbot
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Father Paul Campbell, LC
Mark
2:1-12
When
Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at
home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not
even around the door, and he preached the word to them. 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 the paralytic, “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?” 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. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying,
“We have never seen anything like this.”
Introductory
Prayer: Jesus,
thank you for this time to be with you. I humbly offer you my intention to
set all my distractions aside so that I can encounter you, my Lord and my
God. I hope in you and know that you could never let me down. I love you and
long to love you with all of my strength. Aware of my misery and weakness, I
trust in your mercy and love.
Petition:Lord, increase my zeal
for souls.
1.
The Paralytic: One
day, four men carried a friend to Jesus. It made all the difference in the
world to the friend, for he was paralyzed and was unable to approach Jesus on
his own. He had heard of the miracles Jesus had performed, but had never seen
them. His own healing was out of the question: he couldn’t go to Jesus on his
own. Had his four friends not stepped in and brought him to Jesus, he would
never have been cured. Their faith and love made his healing possible. Who
does Jesus want me to bring to him? Do I invite people to prayer and adoration?
Do I invite people to Mass and confession?
2.
The Four Friends:These four men were not stopped by the obstacles in their
way. How long they traveled isn’t mentioned, but even a short distance is
tiring when carrying a man on a mat. When they arrived at the house, it was
full of people who had traveled to hear and see Jesus and to be cured by him.
It was impossible for the men to get inside the house through the door, but
they didn’t give up. They didn’t quit. They carried their friend up to the
rooftop and lowered him down into the house. By persevering we can achieve anything.
Love knows no boundaries or limits.
3.
Jesus:God
wants to save so many people. He wants to bring real healing into their
lives, but he wants to heal them through us. Jesus could have found the
paralyzed man. He chose, rather, to let the others bring the man to him.
Jesus wanted to heal him, but without the charity in the hearts of the four
men, the healing might never have been accomplished. Who does Jesus wish to
encounter through me? How can I be a better instrument of his love?
Conversation
with Christ: Lord,
help me to realize more deeply that you want me involved in salvation
history. I’m on the front lines. You entrust souls to me, and you want to
bless their lives through my prayers, my sacrifices and my work. Increase my
love for these souls. They need my help and my fidelity. I don’t want to let
them down. Help me to be faithful.
Resolution:I will make a
sacrifice today for the person most in need of God’s grace.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, MARK 2:1-12
(1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Psalm 89)
(1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Psalm 89)
KEY VERSE: "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home" (v 11).
READING: After healing a leper, Jesus returned to his mission base in Capernaum. When the people learned that he was at home (probably Simon Peter's house), they came in great numbers to listen to him preach the gospel. Four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus to heal him, but they could not get through the crowds. Undaunted, they carried the man up the outside staircase and opened a hole in the thatched roof. Then they lowered the man on a stretcher to the feet of Jesus below. When Jesus saw the faith of these men, he was moved with pity and healed the paralytic by telling him that his sins were forgiven. (In ancient times disease or misfortune was thought to be the penalty for sin. See Job 4:7-9). The scribes were outraged as only God could forgive sins. Jesus revealed his divine authority over physical and spiritual sickness by healing the man. The people were astounded when they saw the man walking, and they gave glory to God, the true purpose of any miracle.
REFLECTING: What is the sin in my life that keeps me paralyzed?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to confess my sins so that I might receive full health.
Memorial of Anthony, abbot
Anthony was born in Lower Egypt in 251 to wealthy landowner. In 285, at the age of 34, he decided to follow the words of Jesus, who said: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me." [Mt 19:21]. Taking these words literally, Anthony gave away some of the family estate, sold the remaining property, and donated the funds to the poor. Anthony became the disciple of a local hermit, miraculously healing people and acting as spiritual counselor of others. His example led many to take up the monastic life, and to follow his way. So many disciples arrived that Anthony founded other monasteries. Anthony briefly left his seclusion in 311, going to Alexandria to comfort the victims of Emperor Maximinus' persecution and to fight the Arian heresy (named for the Alexandrian presbyter Arius who proposed that Christ was not truly divine but a created being). Anthony retired to the desert again, living in a cave on Mount Colzim. The biography of Anthony's life written by his friend Athanasius of Alexandria helped to spread the concept of monasticism, particularly in Western Europe through Latin translations. Anthony is known as the Father of Western Monasticism.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
Common Strands
Prayer is a one-to-one relationship with God, a loving Father, as
we experience him. It is, in effect, all about my life with him. At the same
time, however personal it may be, true Christian prayer has certain basic common
strands because it involves a community from which no one is excluded
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
They lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay.What length would I go to, to encounter Jesus? The extreme action of the people carrying the paralytic speaks of a deep desire to reach Jesus. Their desire and faith in Jesus’ ability to heal is contrasted by the blindness and hardheartedness of the scribes who were there. The ability of the sick man’s friends to overcome obstacles in their path and approach Jesus from a novel angle might be inviting us to seek new ways of meeting Jesus in our daily lives.
January 17
St. Anthony of Egypt
(251-356)
St. Anthony of Egypt
(251-356)
The life of Anthony will remind many people of St. Francis of
Assisi. At 20, Anthony was so moved by the Gospel message, “Go, sell what you
have, and give to [the] poor” (Mark 10:21b), that he actually did just that
with his large inheritance. He is different from Francis in that most of
Anthony’s life was spent in solitude. He saw the world completely covered with
snares, and gave the Church and the world the witness of solitary asceticism,
great personal mortification and prayer. But no saint is antisocial, and
Anthony drew many people to himself for spiritual healing and guidance.
At 54, he
responded to many requests and founded a sort of monastery of scattered cells.
Again like Francis, he had great fear of “stately buildings and well-laden
tables.”
At 60, he
hoped to be a martyr in the renewed Roman persecution of 311, fearlessly
exposing himself to danger while giving moral and material support to those in
prison. At 88, he was fighting the Arian heresy, that massive trauma from which
it took the Church centuries to recover. “The mule kicking over the altar”
denied the divinity of Christ.
Anthony
is associated in art with a T-shaped cross, a pig and a book. The pig and the
cross are symbols of his valiant warfare with the devil—the cross his constant
means of power over evil spirits, the pig a symbol of the devil himself. The
book recalls his preference for “the book of nature” over the printed word.
Anthony died in solitude at 105.
Stories:
Lest we be misled by
the awesomeness of Anthony's asceticism, we have a statement from his
biographer (St. Athanasius, May 2)) that emphasizes the meaning and result of
all Christian life. "Strangers knew him from among his disciples by the
joy on his face."
Even the great
Emperor Constantine wrote to him, asking for his prayers. Anthony told his
friends, "Don't be surprised that the emperor writes to me—he's just
another man, as I am. But be astounded that God should have written to us, and
that he has spoken to us by his Son."
Comment:
In an age that smiles at the notion of devils and angels, a person known for having power over evil spirits must at least make us pause. And in a day when people speak of life as a “rat race,” one who devotes a whole life to solitude and prayer points to an essential of the Christian life in all ages. Anthony’s hermit life reminds us of the absoluteness of our break with sin and the totality of our commitment to Christ. Even in God’s good world, there is another world whose false values constantly tempt us.
In an age that smiles at the notion of devils and angels, a person known for having power over evil spirits must at least make us pause. And in a day when people speak of life as a “rat race,” one who devotes a whole life to solitude and prayer points to an essential of the Christian life in all ages. Anthony’s hermit life reminds us of the absoluteness of our break with sin and the totality of our commitment to Christ. Even in God’s good world, there is another world whose false values constantly tempt us.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 2,1-12
Lectio:
Friday, January 17, 2014
Ordinary Time
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1) Opening prayer
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 2,1-12
When he returned to Capernaum, some time later word went round that he was in the house; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as they could not get the man to him through the crowd, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'My child, your sins are forgiven.'
Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, 'How can this man talk like that? He is being blasphemous. Who but God can forgive sins?'
And at once, Jesus, inwardly aware that this is what they were thinking, said to them, 'Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven" or to say, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk"? But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority to forgive sins on earth' - he said to the paralytic -'I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.'
And the man got up, and at once picked up his stretcher and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astonished and praised God saying, 'We have never seen anything like this.'
When he returned to Capernaum, some time later word went round that he was in the house; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as they could not get the man to him through the crowd, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'My child, your sins are forgiven.'
Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, 'How can this man talk like that? He is being blasphemous. Who but God can forgive sins?'
And at once, Jesus, inwardly aware that this is what they were thinking, said to them, 'Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven" or to say, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk"? But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority to forgive sins on earth' - he said to the paralytic -'I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.'
And the man got up, and at once picked up his stretcher and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astonished and praised God saying, 'We have never seen anything like this.'
3) Reflection
• In Mark 1, 1-15, Mark shows how the Good News of God should be prepared and spread. In Mark 1, 16-45, he indicates which is the objective of the Good News and which is the mission of the community. Now, in Mk 2, 1 to 3, 6 there is the effect of the proclamation of the Good News. A community faithful to the Gospel lives values which are in contrast with the interests of the society which surrounds it. This is why one of the effects of the proclamation of the Good News, is the conflict with those who defend the interests of society. Mark gathers together five conflicts which the proclamation of the Good News brought to Jesus.
• In the year 70, the time when he wrote his Gospel, there were many conflicts in the life of the communities, but they did not always know how to behave before the accusations which they received from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish leaders. This series of five conflicts found in Mk 2, 1 to 3, 6 served as a guide to orientate the communities, those of the past as well as those of today. Because the conflict is not an incident of the road, even if it forms part of the journey.
• The following is the outline of the five conflicts which Mark presents in his Gospel:
Texts conflict:
1st conflict: Mk 2,1-12
2nd conflict: Mk 2,13-17
3rd conflict: Mk 2,18-22
4th conflict: Mk 2,23-28
5th conflict: Mk 3,1-6
Adversaries of Jesus:
Scribes
The Scribes of the Pharisees
The disciples of John and the Pharisees
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and the Herodians
Cause of the conflict:
Forgiveness of sins
To eat with sinners
The practice of fasting
Observance of Saturday
To cure on Saturday
• The solidarity of the friends obtains for the paralytic the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is returning to Capernaum. Many people gather before the door of the house. He accepts everybody and begins to teach them. To teach, to speak of God, was what Jesus did the most. A paralytic, carried by four persons, arrived. Jesus is their only hope. They do not doubt to go up and make an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. It must have been a poor house, the roof, mud covered with leaves. They lowered the stretcher with the man, before Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven you. At that time people thought that physical defects (paralytic) were a punishment from God for any sin that had been committed. The Doctors of the Law taught that the person remained impure and therefore, incapable of getting close to God. For this reason, the sick, the poor, the paralytics, felt that they were rejected by God! But Jesus did not think this way. Such a great faith, was an evident sign of the fact that the paralytic was accepted by God. And for this reason, he declares: “Your sins are forgiven you!” With this affirmation Jesus denies that the paralysis was a punishment due to the sin of the man.
• Jesus is accused of blasphemy by those who held power. The affirmation of Jesus was contrary to the catechism of the time. It was not in accordance with the idea that they had of God. And because of this they react against and accuse Jesus: he blasphemes! According to them only God could forgive sins. And only the priest could declare someone forgiven and purified. How could it be that Jesus, a man without studies, a lay person, a simple carpenter, could declare persons forgiven and purified of their sins? And there was also another reason which pushed them to criticize Jesus. They had thought: “If it is true what Jesus says, we will lose our power! We will lose our source of income”.
• By curing, Jesus shows that he also has the power to forgive sins. Jesus perceives the criticism. This is why he asks: “Which of these is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk!? It is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven you”. Because nobody can verify if truly the sins have been forgiven or not. But if I tell him: “Get up and walk!”, there, all can see if I have or not the power to heal. And in order to show that he had the power to forgive sins, in the name of God, Jesus says to the paralytic: Get up, take up your stretcher and go off home! He cures the man! And thus, through a miracle he taught that the paralysis of the man was not a punishment from God, and he showed that the faith of the poor is a proof that God accepts them in his love.
• The message of the miracle and the reaction of people. The paralytic gets up, he takes his stretcher, and begins to walk, and all say: “We have never seen anything like this!” This miracle reveals three very important things: a) The sicknesses of persons are not a punishment for sins. b) Jesus opens a new way to reach God. What the system called impurity was no more an obstacle for persons to get close to God. c) The face of God revealed through the attitude of Jesus was different from the severe face of God revealed by the attitude of the Doctors.
• This reminds us of what a drug addict said once he had recovered and who is now a member of a community in Curitiba, Brazil: “I grew up in the Catholic religion. I abandoned it. My parents were good practicing Catholics and wanted us, their children to be like them. People were obliged always to go to Church, every Sunday and every feast day. And when one did not go, they would say: “God will punish you”. I went because this was imposed upon me, and when I became an adult, I no longer went to Mass. I did not like the God of my parents. I could not understand that God, the Creator of the world, could extend over me, a small child, threatening me with the punishment of hell. I liked much more the God of my uncle who never went to Church, but who every day, and I repeat, every day, bought twice as much bread than what he ate, in order to give to the poor!”.
• In Mark 1, 1-15, Mark shows how the Good News of God should be prepared and spread. In Mark 1, 16-45, he indicates which is the objective of the Good News and which is the mission of the community. Now, in Mk 2, 1 to 3, 6 there is the effect of the proclamation of the Good News. A community faithful to the Gospel lives values which are in contrast with the interests of the society which surrounds it. This is why one of the effects of the proclamation of the Good News, is the conflict with those who defend the interests of society. Mark gathers together five conflicts which the proclamation of the Good News brought to Jesus.
• In the year 70, the time when he wrote his Gospel, there were many conflicts in the life of the communities, but they did not always know how to behave before the accusations which they received from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish leaders. This series of five conflicts found in Mk 2, 1 to 3, 6 served as a guide to orientate the communities, those of the past as well as those of today. Because the conflict is not an incident of the road, even if it forms part of the journey.
• The following is the outline of the five conflicts which Mark presents in his Gospel:
Texts conflict:
1st conflict: Mk 2,1-12
2nd conflict: Mk 2,13-17
3rd conflict: Mk 2,18-22
4th conflict: Mk 2,23-28
5th conflict: Mk 3,1-6
Adversaries of Jesus:
Scribes
The Scribes of the Pharisees
The disciples of John and the Pharisees
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and the Herodians
Cause of the conflict:
Forgiveness of sins
To eat with sinners
The practice of fasting
Observance of Saturday
To cure on Saturday
• The solidarity of the friends obtains for the paralytic the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is returning to Capernaum. Many people gather before the door of the house. He accepts everybody and begins to teach them. To teach, to speak of God, was what Jesus did the most. A paralytic, carried by four persons, arrived. Jesus is their only hope. They do not doubt to go up and make an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. It must have been a poor house, the roof, mud covered with leaves. They lowered the stretcher with the man, before Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven you. At that time people thought that physical defects (paralytic) were a punishment from God for any sin that had been committed. The Doctors of the Law taught that the person remained impure and therefore, incapable of getting close to God. For this reason, the sick, the poor, the paralytics, felt that they were rejected by God! But Jesus did not think this way. Such a great faith, was an evident sign of the fact that the paralytic was accepted by God. And for this reason, he declares: “Your sins are forgiven you!” With this affirmation Jesus denies that the paralysis was a punishment due to the sin of the man.
• Jesus is accused of blasphemy by those who held power. The affirmation of Jesus was contrary to the catechism of the time. It was not in accordance with the idea that they had of God. And because of this they react against and accuse Jesus: he blasphemes! According to them only God could forgive sins. And only the priest could declare someone forgiven and purified. How could it be that Jesus, a man without studies, a lay person, a simple carpenter, could declare persons forgiven and purified of their sins? And there was also another reason which pushed them to criticize Jesus. They had thought: “If it is true what Jesus says, we will lose our power! We will lose our source of income”.
• By curing, Jesus shows that he also has the power to forgive sins. Jesus perceives the criticism. This is why he asks: “Which of these is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk!? It is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven you”. Because nobody can verify if truly the sins have been forgiven or not. But if I tell him: “Get up and walk!”, there, all can see if I have or not the power to heal. And in order to show that he had the power to forgive sins, in the name of God, Jesus says to the paralytic: Get up, take up your stretcher and go off home! He cures the man! And thus, through a miracle he taught that the paralysis of the man was not a punishment from God, and he showed that the faith of the poor is a proof that God accepts them in his love.
• The message of the miracle and the reaction of people. The paralytic gets up, he takes his stretcher, and begins to walk, and all say: “We have never seen anything like this!” This miracle reveals three very important things: a) The sicknesses of persons are not a punishment for sins. b) Jesus opens a new way to reach God. What the system called impurity was no more an obstacle for persons to get close to God. c) The face of God revealed through the attitude of Jesus was different from the severe face of God revealed by the attitude of the Doctors.
• This reminds us of what a drug addict said once he had recovered and who is now a member of a community in Curitiba, Brazil: “I grew up in the Catholic religion. I abandoned it. My parents were good practicing Catholics and wanted us, their children to be like them. People were obliged always to go to Church, every Sunday and every feast day. And when one did not go, they would say: “God will punish you”. I went because this was imposed upon me, and when I became an adult, I no longer went to Mass. I did not like the God of my parents. I could not understand that God, the Creator of the world, could extend over me, a small child, threatening me with the punishment of hell. I liked much more the God of my uncle who never went to Church, but who every day, and I repeat, every day, bought twice as much bread than what he ate, in order to give to the poor!”.
4) Personal questions
• Do you like the God of the uncle or the God of the parents of the ex drug addict?
• Which is the face of God that others discover in my behaviour?
• Do you like the God of the uncle or the God of the parents of the ex drug addict?
• Which is the face of God that others discover in my behaviour?
5) Concluding prayer
What we have heard and know,
what our ancestors have told us
we shall not conceal from their descendants,
but will tell to a generation still to come:
the praises of Yahweh, his power,
the wonderful deeds he has done. (Ps 78,3-4)
What we have heard and know,
what our ancestors have told us
we shall not conceal from their descendants,
but will tell to a generation still to come:
the praises of Yahweh, his power,
the wonderful deeds he has done. (Ps 78,3-4)
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