Reflection for January 16 Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Have we already brought someone closer to the Lord?

The four men who helped the paralytic come to Jesus were extraordinary—not because they were famous or powerful, but because they had merciful hearts. Their hearts were not concerned only with their own comfort but were deeply moved by the suffering of another.

As we reflect on their story, we cannot help but see ourselves in them. We can only imagine the hardship they had to endure just to bring their friend to Jesus—and yet, selfless love made them persist.

In the same way, are we not also called to carry one another in faith? Are we not invited to become bridges that lead others closer to Christ, especially those who can no longer walk on their own because of the weight of their pain, failures, or despair?

Surely, those four selfless men went home filled with quiet joy, knowing in their hearts that they had done something noble and worthwhile. That deep sense of joy and fulfillment became their reward. And is this not also the joy we feel when we have helped someone rise again, when we have become instruments of God’s mercy in another person’s life?

The greatest reward we could ever receive in this world is not money or material things, for these are passing and temporary. Not even honors that serve only ourselves, for these, too, will eventually be forgotten. The greatest reward is to help someone who cannot repay us—someone who can only pray for us and silently thank God for the help they have received through us.

In the end, what truly remains is love made concrete in service, compassion made visible in sacrifice, and faith made alive in our willingness to carry one another to Christ. So let us ask ourselves today: whom are we carrying to Jesus, and whose burden is the Lord asking us to help lift? — Marino J. Dasmarinas