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March 1st, 2023
Today’s reading from Lenten Journey

Jesus Healed Body and Soul

Pray

Begin with prayer, opening your heart to God’s Word and Spirit.

Read Mark 2:1-12

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Reflect

Wherever Jesus went, crowds gathered. These four men went to great lengths to bring their friend in need to Jesus; they even dug a hole in the roof of a house to get their friend inside where Jesus was. Not only was their friend physically healed, but his sins were forgiven, bringing two contrasting responses: the amazement of the crowds and the anger of the Pharisees.

Closing prayer

Merciful God, in Jesus’ name, thank you for your power that forgives our sins and heals us. Give us zeal to bring our friends to him. Amen.

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