Four miracles are included in the formal Atrium materials: restoration of life to the dead son of a widow; sight to a blind man; feeding of the five thousand; and healing of a paralyzed man. This last one, actually, will be the Gospel at mass on February 19th. Of course, we know there are many other miracles. We can apply the thought process from the Atrium material whenever we listen to any miracle story.
Let's take the healing of the paralytic as an example. You can read the story in Mark 2:1-12. The paralytic was carried by four men, and when they couldn't reach Jesus through the door of the house, they made a hole in the roof and handed down the paralytic. The account ends with these words:
They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
I'm reminded of a bumper sticker I see from time to time: "Expect a miracle." While I conceptually understand what it's getting at, I'm not sure the saying does miracles full justice. "Expect a miracle" sounds ordinary, commonplace, every day. But the true response should be to be astounded, amazed. How can this be?! Perhaps we adults have heard these stories lots of times, and they've become "expected." It's good to listen now with a fresh, new mind. Just imagine the moment, each character, all their feelings. Imagine you are there.
What just happened? Is it just the paralytic's body that has been healed? How does Jesus heal him? His words are, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Why does Jesus say this? Does it give us insight into what all is healed? Or even who all is healed?
How could this healing happen? Have the prophets said something about this? We read in Isaiah 35:5-6:
Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened;
Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy.
When is this "then?" The prophet is speaking of the day that all history is striving toward: the parousia. "Then" there will be no more illness, or death, or suffering. Isaiah 35 completes with these words:
Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
The paralytic lived in a society which looked upon disease and disability as a sign of sinfulness, unworthiness. This healing truly opened up a completely new path for him - the opportunity to live life to the full with joy and gladness.
And what about us today? Are there things which keep us from living life to the full? Can we today experience Jesus' ability to release us from that which binds us or paralyzes us, that which keeps us from living life to the full? How? One way Jesus heals us is through the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Have you ever experienced a moment in which you were freed by God's gift of grace? Were you "astounded?" Was your response to glorify God? Is this an experience for which you pray?
We pray all the time, "Our Father ... Your Kingdom come!" What do those words mean to you now, in light of this miracle story?
|