Second Monday in Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 85:8-13; Luke 5:17-26

I love this Gospel story.  It shows us so much about healing, about God’s love and our response.  While I’m reminded again of recovery from addiction, it’s important to note that the 12 Steps grew out of Christian spiritual traditions of repentance, confession, and restoration.  Whether the healing we need is from addiction, illness, oppression, or trauma, this story reminds us of some key elements.

First, we do not heal alone.  We are born and raised in relationship with others.  We are shaped by our encounters with others, for good and for bad.  And healing always involves a shift in relationships.  It may be a visit to the doctor; it may be the intervention of family members, or the loss of a job; it may involve therapists or a new network of fellow sufferers; healing begins when we reach out.  And healing will inevitably shift old relationships and challenge those around us to change their view of things.  The patient is now well; so what is a caregiver to do?

When the “problem child” becomes a mature adult, how do those around her respond?

Second, we start where we are.  It’s important that Jesus does not begin this encounter by healing the man’s paralysis.  That comes later.  First he needs to know that he is forgiven, accepted as he is.  Now, most people who enter recovery programs don’t think they need forgiveness; they come to stop drinking or smoking or eating, or because other people’s addictions are driving them crazy.  They want the pain to stop.  But real healing, real thriving, is far down the road.  When they walk in, they are given a place at the table.  As they begin to admit what they’ve done, they are received with compassion and respect.  And we all have the authority to do that.  I can forgive you for what you’ve done to another; in my world, you are free to start over.  If you are not in a recovery program, you can receive the same gift through the sacrament of reconciliation, or simply talking to a loving companion.

The Pharisees then, and my inner judges now, aren’t happy about this forgiveness stuff.  I suspect that when we ask, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” we really mean, “I don’t want to see you forgiven.”  But Jesus does.  He knows that any healing must start with accepting where we are, and starting over.  So he wipes clean the paralytic’s slate.

Then the man’s body is restored, as a sign of a deeper healing.  He takes up his bed, and his place in his community.  And those around him marvel.  They give glory to God.  And that is what healing engenders.  When addicts stay clean, when cancer goes into remission, when trauma victims pick up the mats of their lives and move on, when the oppressed claim their voices, it’s a miracle.  It’s a sign of God’s work.  And every day that we live as whole, holy people we give glory to the One who makes that happen.

What is the healing you need?  Who do you need to reach out to in order to begin that?  Who needs your hand, your forgiveness today?  Don’t delay: Jesus is coming!