2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 14

When one paralyzed man was brought by his four friends to Jesus Christ for healing, it was THEIR faith that Jesus noticed. We hear in the Gospel of Mark, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” (Mark 2.5) In this encounter, Jesus is reminding us that we have a responsibility to our fellow human beings.

The responsibility we have is faith. Having faith is believing in God enough to help our friends encounter Him. Having faith is understanding in our hearts that God’s healing touch is for everyone. Having faith is loving God enough to love others. Having faith is loving others more than we love ourselves. The four friends in this today’s Gospel story had that type of faith, and God responded by healing their friend.

Too often I hear about personal faith. I hear about having a personal relationship with God. I hear people discuss their faith in God as if it has nothing to do with the people around them. “If ‘they’ don’t believe in God, too bad. I believe in God and He will take care of me.” We say this as if our faith doesn’t affect them, and their faith doesn’t affect us. The truth is, faith affects them and us, because God loves them and us.

The four friends in the gospel understood God’s love for their friend. God responded not only with physical healing, but spiritual healing when He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” If the friends limited their faith to their own needs, the paralyzed man would ‘still’ be sitting outside the house.

Jesus taught that having faith meant serving others. Here are a few reminders…

• “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9.35)
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.34-35)
• “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15.12)
• “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22.39)

When we approach for Holy Communion the priest says, “With the fear of God, with Faith and Love draw near.” Faith isn’t private. Faith is interactive.