Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 17, 2025

Date: Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot

Scripture Text: 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 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Jesus’ curing of a paralytic as recounted by Mark. Two details in this healing account that occurs early in Mark’s gospel stand out: the lengths friends will go to bring a loved one’s need to Christ and the existence of skeptical critics in the face of loving goodness.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

To what lengths will I go to bring the needs of my loved ones to Christ? Is a part of me still skeptical of Christ’s power in the face of my needs?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we come to You this day full of praise and loving gratitude for your love of us and your desire for us that led You to send your only-begotten Son to dwell among us and to save us from sin and death. Send your Spirit to rouse within us the courage and determination possible with true faith and abiding hope. Grant that we may be true believers and disciples of your beloved Son, seeking to draw near and daring to follow in His footsteps. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.