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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, My son your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5)
Which is more painful?...separation from the
community or the physical infirmity?
When we are sick, we are paralyzed in a number of ways. The mind, body, and
spirit combination are derailed. As social beings, we are cut off from the rest
of the society. Without community, we don't have any separate existence or
entity. Physical infirmities may be healed fully or partially and that could be
accommodated and adjusted as time passes.
Jesus healed the paralytic man by doing the first thing first by connecting him
with the community by forgiving his sins. In those days, sickness was always
attached with sins. So all patients were out-casted and discarded from the
church, family and from the community. Here is a different story - four people
with all the shame of society, risking their lives by breaking into the house
where Jesus was sitting, not counting their time, energy and talent, placed the
paralytic man in front of Jesus. Jesus, as the son of man (a human being knowing
the deepest feelings and sufferings of each individual) and God, healed him
fully and connected him to God and community.
Each one has his/her own role to play in the healing process. The main role
still falls on the shoulders of human beings - faith and action as the four men
did to the paralytic man.
Just before Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Last Supper, he had a quarrel
with a fellow painter. He painted the face of his fellow painter as Judas
quickly and everyone who passed there recognized the face of Judas as the other
painter. He worked out the other disciples' portraits easily. But when it came
to the face of Jesus, he could not make any progress. Something seemed to baffle
him, frustrating his best efforts. In time, da Vinci saw his hatred of the other
painter as the problem holding him back from finishing his work. Only after
repainting the face of Judas, was he able to paint Jesus' face and complete his
masterpiece.
"So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your
brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar.
Go and make peace with that person, and then come and offer your gift" (Mathew
5:24).
When you recognize someone's need, do you act? Many people have physical and
spiritual needs that you can meet, either by yourself or with others who are
also concerned. Let us move with compassionate actions and connect the
disconnected lot with God and the community.
Jesus, remove all the shame on the foreheads of the sick attached by the community in the name of sins. Let us have the reflective time to act and connect to the community. Let all our immobility to move with others be healed. Let us have the purity of thoughts, words, and deeds. Forgive all our trespasses. All we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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