HEALING REQUIRES BOTH FAITH AND JUSTICE
“Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.” - Psalm 85:14
In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus asks the Pharisees, “Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
Right before this, Jesus and the crowd witnessed a remarkable sign of faith: a group of friends doing everything they could to place their sick friend before the Lord. Imagine, these companions had heard of what the Lord could do, believed in the possibility that Jesus could do something to help, and took a leap of faith in order to aid their friend.
Moved by the love shown by the paralyzed man’s friends, Jesus tells the infirmed member that his sins are forgiven and invites him to rise and walk. Yet, the Pharisees question Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and reprimand him. What they do not realize is that Jesus’ ability to heal the paralyzed man also removes the weight of his sinfulness. Whatever was wearing this man down was now removed.
If we look closely, several elements allowed the paralyzed man to walk again. First, it was Jesus’ compassion and authority that healed him. Second, it was the love of his friends, who carried him to the Lord. Third, it was his faith in Jesus that gave him courage to rise from his mat.
Saint Ambrose, whose memorial we celebrate today, said, “The foundation of justice therefore is faith, for the hearts of the just dwell on faith.” Right and just relationships depend on hearts centered on faith, centered on Jesus. The love of God and friends gave that paralyzed man the confidence to take those first steps of his renewed life. When we are weighed down by our own sins, faults, and frustrations, do we simply stay paralyzed or can we recognize that our friends, our Church, and our God are all there supporting us towards the path of renewal? In faith, let us trust that the just and merciful love of God really frees us from our sinfulness and invites us to walk again.
Let us take some time to breathe in God’s love. What is weighing down your heart these days? How could you lay those burdens before the feet of Jesus?
Alex Llanera, SJ