February 20, 2009
Ist Reading:
Book of Isaiah 43,18-19.21-22.24-25.
Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise. Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, for you grew weary of me, O Israel. You did not buy me sweet cane for money, nor fill me with the fat of your sacrifices; Instead, you burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes. It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more. Psalms 41(40),2-3.4-5.13-14. Happy those concerned for the lowly and poor; when misfortune strikes, the LORD delivers them. The LORD keeps and preserves them, makes them happy in the land, and does not betray them to their enemies. The LORD sustains them on their sickbed, allays the malady when they are ill. Once I prayed, “LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, I have sinned against you. For my integrity you have supported me and let me stand in your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from all eternity and forever. Amen. Amen.
2nd Reading:
Second Letter to the Corinthians 1,18-22.
As God is faithful, our word to you is not “yes” and “no.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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 the paralytic, “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.”
Sermon Help:
- Jesus heals the paralysed man. That is clearly seen todays Gospel passage. But is it all what the Gospelist Mark want to say?
- faith of the people, who carried the paralysed one and the faith of the paralysed man is seen here. The need of Praying for others is indirectly pointed out here. We can represent the faith of others, we can embody the faith of others through our faith and actions. The man enjoyed the healing of Jesus because of his friends and their hardships. We are also called to stay and live for our freinds and for the world, in their need.
- “they unroofed the roof” – “Roof” in palestine was flat type, made with grass and lime.” Also it was a place where people came together, as social gettogether.
- Jesus heals the paralysed man – to show his Divine autority and his Messianic Mission. This wonder is an answer to question asked by the scribes. By healing him by forgiving his sins Jesus asserts this.
- Sin and Sickness is related? This was an old concept among the Orient culture. Many sickness were interpreted as the result of sinful human nature. Today we cannot accept it full, but many of the sickness are “psycho-psomatic”. It is proven by the contemporary medical and psychology.
- Jesus ask the paralysed man to pick up his pallet and go. Jesus could simply heal the man. Why he should carry his pallet? May be to give a sign for all. . Carrying the pallet means, the man is now empowered by the faith in Jesus. He is now not only able to go himself, but also carry that pallet.
- “pallet” stands for his last “life-situation”. The pallet stays for his past life. One must not forget his past. Forgetting past fully and doing things without remembering one’s “weakness” should be avoided.
- Pallet is also a sign of Jesus wonder work. Those who see it carried by the “man who was paralysed” will be attracted to Jesus, and will be guided to God the Father.
- Do I accept and believe Jesus as my complete healer?
- How do I give witness to Jesus?
- Am I carrying my “pallet”, my past eperiences, or am I living totally as another man
who forgot the past, weak days of my life?
- Does the “meet with Jesus” empower me and to stay from my sinful ways?
- How much God ecperience, do I pass to my freinds and needy? How much Riskk I take for them?
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