February 19, 2012

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 43:18-19,11-22,24-25

    The LORD said: "Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins."

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Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22

   Brothers and sisters, as surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been "Yes and No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not "Yes and No"; but in him it is always "Yes." For in him every one of God's promises is a "Yes." For this reason it is through him that we say the "Amen," to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

Gospel Reading: Mark 2:1-12

   When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven, ' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   Jesus did not restrict his teaching; preaching and prayer to the religious places (Temple, Synagogue...) only. His prayer, teaching and preaching were done on the mountain, in the plains, in the houses, on the sea shore etc. For him every place and every opportunity was an occasion to preach the word of God. People also listened to him gladly. His teaching was real and he was preaching with authority. Among the crowd there were also Pharisees. Some followed him and his teaching but there were also Pharisees who found fault with his preaching.

   Jesus always rewarded the faith of the person who needed the healing or the faith of the people who were involved with the individual who needed the miracle. All his healing miracles were the result of the expression of the faith. The sick person is being carried and he could not probably express his faith openly but the people who carried him expressed it in their action and that was enough for Jesus.