Mark 2:1-12 The Healing of the Paralytic

Sometimes children can be fun to watch.  There were once two children who really wanted cookies.  One child asked his mother and she gave him cookies, and then they were gone.  The second child asked his mother for cookies too.  The mother took the child into the house and showed the child how to make cookies using a cookbook, how to measure the ingredients, set the oven, and make the first batch with the child.  When they were done the child ate some cookies.  Both children had cookies.  However, one was transformed from within through the teaching that the mother gave. 

Something similar is proposed in today's reading of the paralytic.  Jesus could have simply said, "take your mat and walk."  Think of the mother handing the cookies to the child.  The child has not learned, only received a gift, possibly only superficial, that he doesn't fully appreciate or understand its worth.  Had Jesus had the paralytic to take his mat and walk, the gift of healing would have been fought against and not appreciated or understood to its fullness.  When Jesus says that the paralytics sins have been forgiven, that allows for that inner transformation and healing.  It is profound and like learning, does not necessarily show physically on the outside.  Once that interior change has taken place then it radiates outward and Jesus is then able to tell him to take his mat and go.  Who but God alone can touch out innermost self to transform it?  Not even a mother teaching a young one can do that, it has to come from God for we are each a temple of the Lord, and he makes us holy.

Luke 4:14-22a Scripture Fulfilled

Have you ever gone away from family for awhile and returned home to meet everyone again for a reunion?  Suddenly despite how our experiences may have changed us, we are put right back into our  familial stereo types and expectations.  Have you considered if you were there within the temple seeing the son of the carpenter, one of your old playmates, or a cousin suddenly take up a scroll of Isiah, read it, and ending by stating that he was the fulfillment of the messianic passage.  How would you react?  You'd been taught to wait for the Messiah, and here is a person you know saying he is the Messiah.  Luke tells us, "All spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth." 

The first letter of St. John reminds us that all who love God also love one begotten by him, namely his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  In doing so we love Christ and each other as Christ taught us.  If we do not love each other, then don't we lie when we say we love God?  It is sometimes hard to love each other.  Hurt, deception, and killing can stop us and make it difficult to love each other.  A man mentioned yesterday that it is difficult to love because he can't forgive.  In the course of the liturgy he realized that he and we are being called to forgive.  Sometimes that first step to forgiving is praying for those who have hurt us, he realized.  Let us endeavor to take those small first steps that will unite us in love with Our Father in Christ.

John 2: 22-35 Fifth day of the Octive of Christmas

Simeon is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "to listen" or "to hear".  Simeon, a righteous and devout man, has heard what the Lord God has told him through the Holy Spirit. He understands what it is the Lord is saying in this Child that Mary and Joseph are bringing to the temple.  We also have a wonderful example of Mary and Joseph following the Laws of God.  It is a reminder that Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.  Simeon gives us the knowledge that here is the one who will bring salvation to the people:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

We also receive the foreshadowing of the suffering to come in order for God's mercy to be fulfilled through Christ.  May we be eternally grateful that the Lord our God so loves us:
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”