Jesus heals a paralytic in Jesus’ own town. The gospel for today reminds me of something I once read. Where , I do not recall, but the gist of it is this: that all miracles are meant to benefit the community. In this case, Jesus acknowledges the community’s faith and seeming in response to this he says to the paralytic, “courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”

It struck me that the miracle of  healing at this point in the narrative lies in the amazing blessing of forgiveness. The healing is interior, and perhaps is the greater of the two healings in this gospel. Interesting that elsewhere Jesus says there is no healing in a community or town that lacks faith, and that a prophet cannot heal in his own town.

Standing around are the usual suspects, the group of skeptics or unbelievers. In this case it is some scribes who murmur among themselves that Jesus is blaspheming. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, challenges them: "which is easier to say, ‘your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘rise and walk?’" affirming his authority as son of man to forgive sins, Jesus says to the paralytic, “rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

Then follows what I believe is the main point of this gospel. The paralytic of course rises and goes home. The crowds are "struck with awe”. They glorify God.

In my reflection on this gospel I asked myself several questions. Which of the two wonderful events is the real miracle? Or are they both miracles in their own way? To be assured of forgiveness or to be “unparalyzed?" Do our sins paralyze us? In what way? Since we all have sinned, do we rely on the faith of our community to release us from those bonds? Surely a faith community is a strong support. Some of us do not have access to the sacraments on a regular basis if at all, and the blessing of the sacrament of reconciliation may be sorely missed. To have a trusted friend in whom to confide may give amazing relief and assurance of God's love and mercy.

Physical healings can be dramatic or subtle. As a physician I have witnessed several that were amazing and unexplainable other than as a direct intervention by God. Others were more interior: a change of heart after years of anger and bitterness, an acceptance of a lingering illness and the suffering that goes along with chronic pain. You can imagine examples of your own.

May we not forget that the goal of any healing is to glorify God, to give thanks and praise and rejoice with our community, our family, friends, and neighbors. Not only is our own faith strengthened, so is that of the community. And we say: “give God the glory."