Luke 5:17-26 Reflection ~
I know when it is time for the sacrament of reconciliation because I become sorrowful. The feeling of being paralyzed to do and be more for others rises to the surface. I am still trying to understand how easy it is to sin against “others” that I am committed to loving. For me, reconciliation with being one with the community provides an intellectual knowledge of God’s love. Once the profound gift of reverence kicks in, it becomes difficult to bury the past, even with a single wrong. Instead, we need purification to become spiritually whole and comfortable within a society that does not embrace forgiveness. I wrestle with how both human nature and forces of evil prevent the act of transformation to appreciate feeling sorrow.
He Heals the Lame by James Tissot (full-resolution painting) and more detail at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture*
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 5:17-26 Reflection – Become Spiritually Whole.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 5 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.