“Man, your sins are forgiven.”

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to think: “Who is he who blasphemes like this?!” Who can forgive sins besides God?” Since Jesus recognized their thoughts, he said to them: “What are you thinking in your hearts?” » Lk 5, 18-22.

The disabled person did not come to Christ alone. Others help him. Others believe instead of him. Nothing is said about his faith. “When he saw their faith…” His paralysis, the paralysis of his soul, was probably a lack of confidence. He was weary in faith and hope. And that’s why the first healing was about his soul: “Your sins are forgiven…” How good, Lord, that you gave me brothers, men who believe more than me, better and stronger than me. The Church takes me on her faith’s shoulders daily and brings me to you to heal me. Especially in moments when I wouldn’t be able to get to you. They carry and place me before you with their faith, prayers, and example. And you heal me because of “their faith” (“seeing their faith”). And maybe “because of my faith,” you will heal someone else. I, too, can bring to you on the shoulders of my prayer and faith those affected by the paralysis of hopeless unbelief.

In this context, three types of people can be considered: those who believe, those who are helpless losers, and those who begin to think, i.e.,—doubt in their hearts. You reward believers for their faith and heal others in body and soul. Come, Lord, to my desert! Come and touch this dry branch, so it turns green and blooms with the “flower of grace”! Take me, Lord, from my solitude: Grant that I may always find brothers who will lift on their shoulders the whole burden of my helplessness and place me before you; with their faith, they will beg you to give me the gift of your youth. Place me, Lord, with new vigor in my heart on the path that leads to my father’s house, and place me there with all who know how to walk and dance and joyfully celebrate the power of your love. Amen. Lord, with my faith and prayer, I will try to bring at least one lost brother before you.