Healing the Paralytic
“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Luke 5:20)
Today is the Second Sunday of the Blessed month of Paone, and on this day the Church reads Luke 5:17-26. In these verses we read about a profound encounter between a group of friends who carry a paralyzed man on a mat, seeking Jesus’ healing touch. Since the house Jesus was teaching in was crowded, and they were not able to get through, they lowered the paralyzed man in through the roof of the House. Seeing their faith, Jesus looked at the paralyzed man and Said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you” (Lk 5:20) and instructed him to rise, take up his bed, and to go home (v. 24). Those who witnessed this miracle were filled with amazement and glorified God, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” (v. 5:26).
While this Gospel focuses on the paralyzed man, it is important to recognize the significant role of the four men that helped carry the paralytic. Their determination, perseverance, and unwavering faith brought their friend into the presence of Christ. Faced with obstacles, they did not turn back in disappointment, nor did they allow the crowd to discourage them. Instead, they found another way to reach the Savior. Their actions remind us of the power of intercessory faith. As Christians, we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), carrying one another through prayer, encouragement, and acts of love. St. Ambrose of Milan beautifully comments on this communal aspect of faith, saying: “The Lord is rightly moved by the faith of one while another is healed, because through the grace of the Church one man is often aided by the faith of another.” (St. Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) The faith of the four men became a channel through which God’s mercy reached the paralytic, reminding us that our prayers and labors for others are never in vain.
It is also interesting to see It is also noteworthy that Jesus first addressed the man’s spiritual condition before healing his physical infirmity. Before commanding him to walk, the Lord proclaimed the forgiveness of his sins. In doing so, Christ revealed that the healing of the soul is greater than the healing of the body, for bodily health is temporary, but reconciliation with God has eternal significance. As St. Cyril of Alexandria says, “Or He may mean this; I must heal thy soul before I heal thy body: for if this be not done, by obtaining strength to walk, thou dost but sin the more: and even though thou hast not asked for this, yet I as God see the maladies of the soul, which brought upon thee this disease” (St. Cyril Commentary of Luke).
Today’s reading reveals the depth of Christ’s compassion and His desire to restore both body and soul. It teaches us that faith overcomes obstacles, that forgiveness is the foundation of true healing, and that God often works through the love and prayers of others.
Like the four faithful friends, may we become bearers of one another’s burdens. Like the paralytic, may we come before Christ with humility and trust. And having received His mercy, may we rise from the paralysis of sin, walk in newness of life, and glorify God who alone has authority to heal and save.
Sources & References:
- Bible; English Standard Version (ESV)
- Catena Bible
- Second Sunday of Paone | Curing the Paralytic – St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church | Los Angeles, CA (stmarkla.org)
- https://www.ecatholic2000.com/cyril/untitled-16.shtml#_Toc385688061
- St. Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, Book V
- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke(Homily/Sermon 12 on Luke 5).