Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbott
How much did Santa pay to park his sleigh? Nothing, it’s on the house. If you are like my kids, they just sigh and say in a long, drawn out tone, “Daaaddd” (eye roll included). Full disclosure, the joke is borrowed from the small calendar that sits on my desk in my office which offers a daily dad joke. Nonetheless, being fresh off the Christmas season, today’s Gospel caused me to think of Santa Claus. While Santa may be a legendary character loosely based on the actions and deeds of a Catholic bishop from centuries ago, it is in fact the faith, works, compassion, and love that is rooted in this idea of Santa that draws so much power toward his persona. Santa is a man of mighty and magical good works. Likewise, our psalm reminds us, “Do not forget the works of the Lord!” (Ps. 78:7b) And, though this is quite a bit of a stretch, how much did the paralytic have to pay to be healed by Jesus? Nothing, it was, as they say, on the house.
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” (Mk 2:4-5)
How much do we believe in one another? It’s not just the faith of the paralytic that drives Jesus to forgive his sins. It is the faith of those that lift him up–or actually, in this case, that lower him down. They break down the barrier, open up the roof, to get to Jesus. We live in a world that is hurting, a world that needs healing, but at every turn, people are met with barriers to relief and consolation. How might we break down the walls of oppression, burst through the roof to support someone in our lives because we believe so deeply in the healing power of Jesus? How can I go out of my way this week, to help someone else who is experiencing pain or suffering?
But who does this guy think he is, blasphemer?! “Who but God alone can forgive sins?” (7b) To the detriment of people’s needs, the scribes get caught up in the law. Yes, Jesus pushes us further; what’s harder? To forgive someone or to say, rise and walk? Cut through the barriers and get right to the heart of the gospel! Love, heal, free, and forgive; embrace selflessness. When we live for one another, we strengthen the kingdom of God. May our good and loving God continue to astound us, and inspire us to astound one another with deep faith, love, works, compassion, and kindness.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer