Friday of Week 1 Year 1

Nowadays, disabilities, diseases and illnesses are usually attributed to some sort of genetic matter, or due to viruses, bacteria or some other cause. Advances in medicine and other forms of therapy and healing have enabled us to reduce or even remove the effects of some of these disabilities, diseases and illnesses. However, in ancient times, disabilities, diseases and illnesses were often connected with sin, be it personal sin or the sin of an earlier generation. This could lead those afflicted with such disabilities, diseases and illnesses to dwell in their own guilt and unforgiveness. They could not forgive themselves for being in the situation they are in, and in some cases, they could not forgive their parents or ancestors who may have sinned and in their mind, such sins caused them to be in such a state.

The paralytic man in today's Gospel could have been experiencing these feelings and thoughts. This is why Jesus said to him: "My child, your sins are forgiven." To hear such words from Jesus would have been uplifting and gratifying for the paralytic man. What Jesus was doing was basically to help the paralytic man be released from his mindset where disabilities, diseases and illnesses were thought to be a result of sin; and at the same time to heal the man. However, those around Jesus were still stuck in such a mindset and that is why they thought to themselves, "How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?" But what did Jesus do? He challenged all around Him to open their minds and hearts and be free from such pre-conceived thoughts, and proved to them that He had the authority not only to forgive sins, but also to heal the man completely. What an experience these people had! They were so astounded and taken aback with what they witnessed, and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

What about us? Are some of us having such a mindset, especially when it seems as if modern medicine does not seem to be helping? Are we still dwelling in our feelings and thoughts of worthlessness, anger, fear or even despair. Let us be reminded that just as Jesus healed the paralytic man, He can heal us too. Are we willing to be humble and patient and put our trust and confidence in Him, knowing that He would do what is best for us?