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GOSPEL POWER - JANUARY 15, 2021 - FRIDAY
GOSPEL POWER - JANUARY 15, 2021 - FRIDAY
Gospel: Mk 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— he said to the paralytic — “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
REFLECTION
Two ways of expressing faith are presented in this Gospel episode. The first is what Saint Paul will describe later as “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6). This is the faith shown by the friends of the paralytic. It is a dynamic, relational and connective faith that goes out to meet the need of another. Jesus is quick to recognize this faith and respond to it. The other is the faith of the scribes, which is rigid adherence to a belief system, one that easily becomes protective, defensive and reactive. Jesus responds to this faith too by demonstrating that he embodies God’s totally new and unparalleled way of dealing with humanity. And “faith working through love” is the appropriate way of welcoming this new initiative of God.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, as you increase our faith, expand also our capacity to love that we may respond appropriately to God’s new saving initiative through you. Amen.
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By Daughters of St. Paul | Phil-Malaysia- PNG-Thai Province
5
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GOSPEL POWER - JANUARY 15, 2021 - FRIDAY
Gospel: Mk 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— he said to the paralytic — “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
REFLECTION
Two ways of expressing faith are presented in this Gospel episode. The first is what Saint Paul will describe later as “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6). This is the faith shown by the friends of the paralytic. It is a dynamic, relational and connective faith that goes out to meet the need of another. Jesus is quick to recognize this faith and respond to it. The other is the faith of the scribes, which is rigid adherence to a belief system, one that easily becomes protective, defensive and reactive. Jesus responds to this faith too by demonstrating that he embodies God’s totally new and unparalleled way of dealing with humanity. And “faith working through love” is the appropriate way of welcoming this new initiative of God.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, as you increase our faith, expand also our capacity to love that we may respond appropriately to God’s new saving initiative through you. Amen.