Unable to get near Jesus

Sisters and brothers in Christ, as I read today's Gospel's account of the paralytic man being lowered down by his friends to meet Jesus, this line struck me: ". . .unable to get near Jesus. . ." While the paralytic man may have been physically distant from Christ, he was spiritually close to God because of his faith. Moreover, not only was he close to God spiritually, his friends were as well. Jesus saw and affirmed their faith, saying: ". .. your sins are forgiven."

There are times in our lives when we are "unable to get near Jesus." It could be the busyness of life - family, work, exercise, etc. - that cause us not to have time to spend in prayer. Prayer is how we get near to God. Attending Mass is how to get near to God and our neighbors and be nourished by the Eucharist. However, if the busyness of life is getting in the way of being nearer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then perhaps it is time to simplify things. Now, how we choose to simplify our life is up to our individual discernment but, the important thing is to make more time for prayer and prioritize Mass attendance on the weekends.

These two things will help us get nearer to Jesus; however, like the paralytic man, we cannot do this on our own. We need the loving support of our families and friends, especially loving hearts that understand our need to be nearer to Jesus above all in our life. In turn, we can be that to others who feel empty, lack purpose in life, and ache for meaningful relationships, especially with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

. . .

Gospel of the Day

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 him,

“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.”