Get Near Jesus January 12

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

“Let us strive to enter into that rest.” Hebrews 4:11

“Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?” Mark 2:8

Piety

God, how can we set ourselves apart from the crowds who call themselves Christians but who do not make Christ the center of their lives? Give us the opportunity to carry someone to you who needs to hear your forgiving voice. Show us who you want us to help today…introduce us to someone who is seeking your consolation. Give to us the fortitude and persistence to not stop until we encounter the divine and humble You in each other. Help us to bow down low as you did to offer service in all humility, no matter what the need. Amen.

Study

The week began with the Epiphany – the three kings bringing gifts and recognizing Christ. Today, we have a different kind of “epiphany.”

Born in a town where there was no room for his parents, not even at a local inn, Jesus grows up to run out of room for all the people who are clamoring to get near him. Word of mouth advertising from yesterday’s cured leper is certainly paying off. Like the Kings, these people came from all over just to get near Jesus so they can see and hear and talk and witness to the miracles and signs he is performing. The more Jesus does, the more people want to see him.

For too long, creation failed God. In the Garden. In the desert. In the wilderness. So God humbled himself and became man so that we learn how to raise others to be like God. God bent low and reached out to his neighbors in active love through Jesus, His Son…and now with that example, we meet Christ-centered men who help the paralytic man in today’s story presented by St. Mark.

Everyone wanted to be near Jesus. So much so that many in the crowd would not let the paralytic man get close enough to benefit from Jesus’ presence. There was no “handicapped seating.” There was no “pre-boarding the house” for people who are traveling with small children or for people needing special assistance.” Fortunately, there were four men who were willing to sacrifice their opportunity to get close to Jesus so they could help the paralytic man. Something tells me what they lacked in closeness that day was more than accounted for due to their good deed.

Action

Let’s not lose sight of the love-in-action as the helpers help the paralytic man overcome obstacles so he can have an encounter with Jesus. These helpers, “partners in Christ,” this Group Reunion performing palanca for their friend stand in stark contrast to the skeptics (scribes) in the room who questioned why Jesus said he forgave sins and to the selfish people who would not make way for the least of their brothers...

“When Jesus saw their faith” – the faith of the helpers – he cured the paralytic man. What strikes me is that Jesus didn’t forgive his sins because of the faith shown by the paralytic man (like the leper in yesterday’s story). Rather, he did it because of the actions of the men who did everything possible that their friend could have this encounter. Carrying him to hear the Word of God was one thing…but being so persistent that they would not stop at the crowded door but climbed up and cut a hole in the roof to their friend would face Jesus. Where does our love need to act today? Who will we lower through the roof?

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? (Matthew 5:38-39)

Last week, FBI documents released as part of a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union included new allegations of questionable treatment of Muslim prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. The report said that one interrogator incensed a prisoner by squatting over a Koran, and two agents reported witnessing military personnel using vicious dogs to intimidate prisoners, the documents showed.

Thursday marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of the prison at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. The National Council of Churches sponsored a protest at the U.S. District Court. The UN Secretary General called for the camp to be closed. International pressure continues to mount for closing the facility and stopping the abuse of prisoners.

Ever stop to think that some of these prisoners come from the region of the world as did the Three Kings. Now these Muslim men have spent five years in jail and are no closer to a trial in Afghanistan rule over Kurdistan, perhaps it is time to free some who are still there since 2004.