Fr. Eric Nicolai preaches about Mark 2, 1-12: The healing of the paralytic in Capernaum.

The first word of Jesus is very simple :“Courage, your sins are forgiven”.

Courage: that meant that the paralytic must have been quite discouraged, probably somewhat depressed, maybe even in despair. He lacked the energy to do anything about his situation. He probably thought to himself I’m useless, I can’t even walk, I can’t get around, I can’t help anyone, what am I good for? This must’ve clouded his vision, and made him perhaps cynical and negative about life. Perhaps that’s partly why his friends brought him to see Jesus.

Music: Adrien Berenguer, Fall (Album Singularity 2017)

Thumbnail: Baptistry wall painting of the Paralytic, AD 232. Now at Yale art Gallery, from French Excavations at Dura-Europos, Syria.