Optional Memorial of Saint Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 309

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.”

The crowd of disciples, listeners, and the curious were amazed at what they saw and heard:

"Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1)

Jesus had returned to his home town of Capernaum where he or his family owned a house. He is a apparently teaching in his own living room when some fellows start to open the roof over him. He might, like any homeowner, object to their intrusion but perhaps he remembered another moment when, 

"...coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

Rapt in a memory like that the Ecstatic could hardly object to the damage to his roof. And it also reminded him that, 

“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” (Mt 8:20)

Having opened the hole, the stretcher bearers lowered a paralyzed man into the middle of the room. If this weren't a gospel passage we'd think it hilarious! What is going on? Most homeowners would ask, "Was this really necessary? Couldn't it wait till I finished teaching?" 

Apparently not. Although the man is paralyzed and not likely to leave town tomorrow, there is a deeper problem that needs immediate -- as in ASAP and PDQ -- attention. He is guilty of sin. 

Readers of Saint Mark's Gospel have already noticed the rush of his first chapters. The word immediately or its synonyms appears often: 

• At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,
• Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her.
• The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 
• Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking. (NABRE translation) 

Given that surrealistic sense of urgency, we should not be surprised at this story, at the opening of the roof, or Jesus's response to the sick man. The entire Gospel has this impetuous rush of "Now!" 

The world's need for Jesus's forgiving ministry is urgent. Perhaps you've noticed? 

But there is a correspondent resistance, a dragging of feet, and lethargic hesitance. That reluctance to accept the Lord's urgency finally appears in this second chapter of Saint Mark with the scribes' question: "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

Rather than arguing with the scribes about their theological presuppositions, Jesus acts. The Gospel is not mere words. Neither then nor now. If it's not accompanied with action, our response is not serious. 

On this thirteenth day of the new year, we might ask about our new year's resolutions. Some people anticipated the new year by indulging their habits one last time on December 31st. They might have eaten sweets, smoked, or drank alcohol up until midnight. 

But breaking habits doesn't work that way. Every time we repeat a habitual behavior we strengthen and reconfirm it. Tomorrow doesn't come tomorrow; tomorrow comes now. 

Our practice of forgiveness begins now, and it is both astonishing and shattering to a world that loves its resentments. They really don't want their roofs opened up! Or intruders in the living room with their critical demands. They're content, if unhappy, with the way things are. 

God is not.