man who lay on his mat. They tried to enter the house to place him before Jesus, but they couldn’t find a way through the crowd. So they
went up on the roof and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said
to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” At once the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to wonder, “This man insults God! Who can forgive
sins but only God?” But Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, “Why are you reacting like this? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or: ‘Get up
and walk’? Now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go
home.” At once the man stood before them. He took up the mat he had been lying on and went home praising God. Amazement seized the people and they
praised God. They were filled with a holy fear and said, “What wonderful things we have seen today!”

Reflection:

Being paralyzed could be a depressing thing.
You cannot move without the assistance of others. You
are sometimes reduced to helplessness. At the same time,
it could be a time of grace. Although it may seem as a
punishment, your sorry state could be an avenue for many
revelations. Take for example the paralytic of this gospel. He
now knows who really cares for him. His friends who spare
no effort just to secure a spot in front of Jesus are his real
friends. They were there when he has absolutely nothing to
compensate them. Contrast that with the many dignitaries
who come from far and wide just to listen to Jesus. The Pharisees
and the teachers of the Law who are supposed to be advanced in
charity are aloof at the miracle happening in front of them. All
they could think of is the Law. The paralytic is nothing compared to
their precious observance of the Law. It is easy for them to ignore
him. They are not friends. And so, people in position of power
and authority sometimes have no qualms sacrificing the interest
of the little ones whom they are not particularly close. They are
just mere numbers rather than persons.
2ND WEEK OF ADVENT Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet/White)
St. Nicholas, bishop Ps 85:9ab & 10, 11-12, 13-14
Our God will come to save us! 1st Reading: Is 35:1-10
Gospel: Lk 5:17-26 One day Jesus was teaching and many
Pharisees and teachers of the Law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea and even
from Jerusalem. They were sitting there while the power of the Lord was at work to heal the
sick. Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat. They tried to enter the
house to place him before Jesus, but they couldn’t find a way through the crowd. So they
went up on the roof and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle
of the crowd, in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “My friend, your
sins are forgiven.” At once the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to wonder, “This
man insults God! Who can forgive sins but only God?” But Jesus knew their thoughts and asked
them, “Why are you reacting like this? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or: ‘Get up
and walk’? Now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And
Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” At once the man stood
before them. He took up the mat he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Amazement seized the people and they praised God. They were filled with a holy fear
and said, “What wonderful things we have seen