Lk 5:17-26
17One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. 18And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set [him] in his presence. 19But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. 20When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” 21Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 22Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? 23Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 25He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. 26Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”
Reflection
Incredible things: This gospel episode celebrates marvelous connections or bonds. First, the holistic bond within an individual. Jews conceive of a human being as a holistic creature: body and spirit are one. Good health means that one is in right terms with God. Second, the communal bond of faith. A sick person can be forgiven or healed because of the faith of someone healthy who intercedes on one’s behalf. The companions of the paralytic have faith which overcomes paralyzing barriers: the crowd, the roof of the house which stands between them and Jesus, their own doubts and fears, the possibility of failure or rejection. Third, the uninterrupted divine bond of the Father and the Son in the Godhead. They share one restorative, forgiving, and healing power. Jesus the Son of God can grant forgiveness and healing simultaneously and instantaneously. Forgiveness is an inner reality. Physical healing is verifiable and implies inner restoration.
The evangelist skillfully narrates the marvelous interplay of these three bonds to weave a tale of God’s triumph over sin, sickness, and unbelievers. His message is good news indeed to persons of faith and goodwill.