Friday, January 16, 2015

Love and concern for the Sick


Gospel: Mk 2: 1-12
After some days Jesus returned to Capernaum. As the news spread that he was at home, so many people gathered that there was no longer room even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the Word to them, some people brought a paralyzed man to him.
     The four men who carried him couldn’t get near Jesus because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the room where Jesus was and, through the hole, lowered the man on his mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
     Now, some teachers of the Law who were sitting there wondered within themselves, “How can he speak like this insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?”

     At once Jesus knew through his spirit what they were thinking and asked, “Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say: ‘Rise, take up your mat and walk? But now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
     And he said to the paralytic, “Stand up, take up your mat and go home.” The man rose and, in the sight of all those people, he took up his mat and went out. All of them were astonished and praised God saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”


Imagine the Love and care the relatives and friends had towards this paralyzed man. Its amazing and heartbreaking to see these men love him so much that they over come all the hurdles....they are ready to face all kinds of situations and even difficulties. They just had one goal in mind that this paralyzed man should get healing from Jesus. May be they had fear that Jesus would leave the place immediately. That Jesus would have to move on to some other place where the need is more. They are courageous and generous too. They face the risk of climbing the roof of the house. They must have carried the man with care. Carrying the man on the mat with topmost care and concern. 
These men had accepted and recognized Jesus as a savior and redeemer. Accepted Jesus as one who had the answer for every problem. Their Faith was strong and deep. Their Faith in Jesus allowed them to go beyond all the human situations. Their faith in Jesus makes them bold and courageous. Faith in Jesus makes them loving and caring towards the others. Their faith allows them to risk their lives climbing on the rood. We see the sense of sacrifice very strong in them.
A great lesson for us all today where so many sick and disabled, poor and underprivileged, sick parents who are left behind without care and concern. There are so many are abandoned and thrown on the streets or in home for the aged. We need to be human like the men in the Gospel.
     

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