The healings and marvelous deeds of Jesus, which we have been listening to this first week of Ordinary Time, demonstrate to us who he is. These deeds go hand in hand with his preaching and actions to show he is the compassionate hand of God always stretched out to the sick, separated, distanced, and sinners. He is not just another charismatic healer. He is not just another prophet or good neighbor, He is not the legalistic, rigid practitioner of the Old Testament, like the Pharisees who could not recognize in Jesus the true compassion and forgiveness from God. He is the messiah in our midst.
The common folk recognized Jesus and their own need for healing, forgiveness, and compassion. A crowd surrounded the house where he was. For one group this was a great obstacle to getting their friend to Jesus for healing. To overcome this great obstacle, they needed great faith and devotion and great action. It is amazing to hear how they lifted the paralyzed man up on the roof and then moved the roof tiles or planks to lower him down into the house.
When we have a set-back in life or a difficulty or obstacle, we need to recognize that to get to Jesus for healing and support. We also need to do something, take the action needed to conform our lives to communion with Jesus. Often, we sit and complain or suffer in silent despair – we do nothing.
The end of the event in today’s Gospel is also important. After seeing the faith of the sick man’s friends and their actions and the healing of their friend, the Gospel says all were: “They were all astounded and glorified God.”
Being astounded led them into action – to glorify God. First the group of friends acted by taking their friend to Jesus amid great obstacles. And second, all the people there acted by sharing and proclaiming what they had witnessed – glorifying God.
In the midst of despair and sickness and obstacles, true people of faith act. How do you act on your faith? How do you publicly share your faith? How do you glorify God?
Image: The Palsied Man Let Down Through the Roof” (detail) by James Tissot [Public domain]
https://integratedcatholiclife.org/2020/01/watson-friends-of-the-paralytic/.