Read Luke 5:17-39
“He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God”
Luke 5:4
This man was paralysed in two ways, in his limbs and in his soul. So Jesus addresses his soul because what good is it to be healed in your body and remain paralysed by sin in your soul. This passage also highlights the power of corporate prayer and intercession because these friends take the paralytic to Jesus. They showed a faith that overcame all obstacles, that cared not about social conventions - so they made a hole in the roof and lowered him down with all the risks that this involved. Our pilgrimage is a communal journey and one of the most effectives way we build community is to pray and intercede for each other. When we visit the Church of St Peter in Caphernaum, we too will be able to look down into the remains of Peter' house and pray specially for all our loved ones.
When Jesus uses the words ‘Get up’ (egerthe in Greek), it is the same word that is used in the New Testament for the resurrection of the Lord Himself. This signifies that the new life we received in our baptism frees us from the paralysis that has gripped our soul. This paralytic man’s life is being handed back to him. He now had the responsibility of making the right choices and to live His life in the grace of God.
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” Saint Augustine
Lord so many times you have touched my life. Help me take responsibility and make the right choices where I seek first your Kingdom and righteousness. I also wish to intercede for others regularly so they too may come to know the joy of the new life you offer. I pray in a special way for our upcoming pilgrimage and each and every one of my fellow travellers.