Reflection for January 12, Friday of the First Week; Mark 2:1-12

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.

After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

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Reflection:

The four men who helped the paralytic to be with Jesus were extraordinary men. They have merciful hearts, hearts that are not only concerned for their own wellbeing. Just imagine the hardship that they have to go through so that they could bring the paralytic to Jesus.

Surely, the four selfless men went home very happy with the thought in mind that they’ve done something noble and worthy.  How many of us are like these four altruistic and selfless men? How many of us will take time to visit the sick and to bring the sick to church for Holy Mass or to the hospital?

Let us recall if we have been indifferent to the plight of the sick. Let us recall if we have let a golden opportunity to slip out our hands by not helping those who are in dire need of our help. It’s not yet late to reverse this cycle of indifference to the sick, poor and the underprivileged.

The greatest reward that we could ever receive in this world is not money for it's passing and temporary. Not even self-serving honors for it will be forgotten. The greatest reward is to help someone who cannot pay us back. Who will simply pray for us and who will silently thank God for the help that they’ve received from us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas