Four friends were deep in thought. They were conversing all
through the previous week on the plight of a villager near by.
He had a sudden stroke. The paralysis that resulted had its
effect on the entire family. As time rolled by it seemed as
though the paralysis was affecting all aspects of the life of
that family, physical, emotional, economic, spiritual, social,
moral, ethical and mental.
They then reflected at the options they had in that moment of pain of the
neighbour. They could easily avoid the pathos of the suffering home. They
could watch from a distance be it with empathy, sympathy, apathy, inter-pathy
or antipathy. They could offer pieces of advice and still keep a safe distance
from intervening. They also had the option of being involved in a search that
might ultimately restore wholeness not only to the paralyzed man but to his
entire household.
After perhaps hours of contemplation they decided that they should do
something that would help soothe the pain of the family. They knew that if
they were able to reach the person to Jesus the healer perhaps that would be
the best bet. Once again they were confronted with different options. What
shall we do now? Pray for the family? Pay for the family's trip? Participate in
the journey of the family? Or shall we facilitate the journey ourselves?
It is easy to wait for someone else to initiate a journey of healing. At this point
too they had different options. Maybe after some more deep thought finally
they finally decided, why don't we carry him on our own shoulders?
The journey should surely have been a cumbersome and difficult one, yet they
persisted with it until they reached Capernaum and the home which was by
then synonymous with the presence of Jesus there. Lo and Behold, they saw
that the household was packed. No one would be willing to make way for
someone else. Here again they had different options. Get Disappointed? Quit?
Complain? Grumble? Murmur? Or search creative and meaningful ways of
facing and overcoming obstacles?
They decided to make a new path for the man to reach the feet of Jesus
through the roof of the home. Jesus saw the faith of these men and asked the
paralytic to take up his bed and walk. Rejoicing at the wholeness restored
unto the man the friends again had options, to stay on and ensure that their
names are recorded and heralded in the annals of history or quietly dissolve
into oblivion fully aware that their task is done and someone else might need
them.
Called to be participants in the liberative process of God this narrative of
healing enables us to take a close look at our own spirituality. Often times we
are confronted with many people in similar situations of paralysis. It could be
the experience of individuals, families, communities, nations or the tortured
nature. Given a choice it would be worthwhile to reflect what our choosing
would be….. |
