Faith breaks barriers

January 17, 2025 Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
Daily Readings: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11; Mark 2:1-12

Mark 2:1-12 shows the many facets of Christ's ministry, including His power and compassion. Jesus teaches a crowd, demonstrating His popularity and the people’s desire to hear Him. His presence makes ordinary situations sacred, attracting those in need and those with hope. The paralyzed man, lowered through the roof by his friends, symbolizes the depths of despair and the lengths to which love will go. As they break through social and physical barriers, we witness a faith-based act of community that resonates across generations. Their joint efforts highlight the value of support in spiritual journeys and the power of faith to create miracles.

Jesus saw the paralytic and addressed his spiritual needs first, not his physical healing, because, in the Gospel, spiritual needs come first. “Son, your sins are forgiven” demonstrates the transformative power of grace. This is reminiscent of the promise in Psalm 103:3 of the Old Testament, where God forgives sins and heals diseases, showing that salvation is all-embracing. The subsequent dialogue with the scribes reveals the tension between divine authority and human understanding. Jesus allows us to witness His authority over both sin and sickness, culminating in the astonishing command: “I tell you, get up, take up your bed and go home.” Here lies the heart of our faith: to believe in Christ is to accept His power to restore and transform.

This miraculous event reveals a Jesus who sees our brokenness, acts with mercy and gives us new life. Do we see the sufferings of others? Do we act with kindness and mercy?

A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let us follow Christ's example by seeing the suffering of others, acting with mercy, and offering support on their spiritual journeys.