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Daily Scripture, January 15, 2021

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
Mark 2:1-12

Reflection:

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.  After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

This parable begs the question what are we called to…what creative means are we called to use to bring healing.  Given today’s hurting world, the polarization, the raw hate, the hurtful ‘reaction’ that surrounds us.  Given the digging in of heels and unwillingness to hear the other.  Given the tensions that consistently envelop us.  How are we called to bring people to Jesus, how creative do we need to be to bring people to the feet of Jesus?

How can we invite ourselves and others to believe in and dare to risk the possibility of peace – inner peace, outer peace, the peace the world cannot give?  The peace we find in God, in Jesus.  What is it that we – individually and collectively – are called to do to set another world view in motion?  How can we re-introduce the worldview that Jesus shared, the Kingdom of God that begins now?  How can we open the roof to let in the healing balm of Jesus presence among us?

Waiting for the other – for someone else to breakthrough and empower dialogue and creative solutions has proven futile.  This parable reminds us that the time is now, we need to step in, we need our voices and our hearts to be heard.  We need to introduce a new path, a new vision, a new accountability.  How creative are we willing to be?  How do we empower each other to re-discover the voice, and presence of God and join together to build something new – bring about a new creation, a new paradigm?  Jesus is present, he has returned to Capernaum – where are we?


Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

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