Daily Reflection Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

As I reflect on this passage where Jesus heals the paralytic, I’m initially struck by three things; “Courage”, “Rise and Walk” and “Go Home”. 

This isn’t the only instance in which Jesus asks one to take courage before a miraculous transformation; to have the courage to be healed, forgiven; made new. Jesus heals both the spiritual and the physical. We see the call to courage also in the woman with the hemorrhage, the blind man, and to Peter as Jesus walks on water. 

To “Rise and walk” has always brought me to think about being practical, use the gifts you have been given and make it work to be put bluntly. This is God’s way of saying “You’ve got this, I’ve given you everything you need” When we place our trust in the healing power of God, we can move forward with God behind us at every step. 

As the passage comes to a close, going home is mentioned not once, but twice. He’s not simply sent on his way but rather sent home. Home implies a sense of belonging, origin, identity and place of life and family. This makes sense, as after all, the paralytic is brought to Jesus, carried by his friends and brought where he was meant to be.