TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Mark: 2:5 "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”


TODAY'S REFLECTION

When it comes to our faith journey we are all very dependent on one another. We are supported on our journey towards the Lord by the faith of others, and our own faith supports others on their journey towards the Lord. 

This morning’s gospel reading shows this in a very graphic way. Jesus was in a house in Capernaum, probably Peter’s house, preaching the word of God. A paralysed man wanted to get to Jesus but he was completely dependent on others to carry him to Jesus. 

Fortunately, he had good friends who were determined to bring him to Jesus, to do for him what he could not do for himself. 

Such was their determination, that they created an opening in the roof of the house where Jesus was preaching so as to lower their friend in front of him. 

The paralysed man’s faith in Jesus was matched by their faith in Jesus. 

Their struggle to get their friend to Jesus was inspired by their faith in him. 

The gospel reading shows that Jesus saw their efforts not as an unwelcome disturbance but as a powerful act of faith, ‘Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “My child, your sins are forgiven”’. 

It was the faith of his friends which allowed this man to meet Jesus personally and to hear Jesus’ very personal and liberating word to him. 

Even before his physical healing, the paralytic needed reassurance that God loved him unconditionally and had forgiven his sins. It was his friends that made it possible for him to hear this liberating word from God. Each one of us has a role to play in helping others to hear God’s live-giving word, spoken to us through his Son who is with us until the end of time.


QUESTIONS TO PONDER

What is my role in the faith journey of others that are entrusted to my care?

Do I believe that Jesus can heal both my physical and spiritual sickness?

Am I am Christ agent to bring others to have an experience of him?

Are we willing to “break through the roof”…of discouragements, disappointments and distresses?

Are we willing to “break through the roof”… of ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and ‘hopeless situations’?

Are we willing to “break through the roof”…of problems which seem impossible and unsolvable?

Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…

Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…


RESOLUTION

Let us resolve to have the grit and the guts to be ready to “break through the roof” of all such adversities! So to

experience the God of blessings pouring down graces on us.

Have a blessed Friday. Knowing that Jesus can heal all our ailments provided we have faith in Him.