Daily Gospel Reflection for January 15, 2016

Today's Gospel: Mark 2, 1-12

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? - Mark 2:9

The man in this gospel passage was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus and he was healed. He was able to walk.

But there was a deeper healing that took place. There was an inner healing that came with being forgiven. An inner healing that changed everything for him.

As an incest survivor, I really wanted to forget about my past. In fact, I would have preferred it if it could have been wiped away from my memory totally. I was paralyzed when it came to speaking of the abuse.
It was my spiritual director who brought me to Jesus to find inner healing. And the courage to forgive my abuser.

It was then that I was no longer paralyzed. I experienced a freedom I had never had before. The freedom to speak. The freedom to tell my secret. The freedom to help others who had been abused.

Jesus healed the man so he could walk. And he healed me so I could talk.

And I plan to never stop talking about Jesus.

Ponder:

In what ways have you been “paralyzed” and how has Jesus healed you?

Pray:

Dear Lord, thank you for your healing and forgiving presence in my life. Help me to bring your love and mercy to others as others have done for me. Amen.

Copyright 2016 Colleen Spiro

Colleen Spiro is a Catholic mother, grandmother and a deacon’s wife. A certified spiritual director, Colleen loves to share her faith and encourage others through her retreats and writings. You can contact Colleen through her website, Catholic Prayer Life and read her blogs at Thoughts on Grace and Finding God in the Everyday.