Matthew 9
The paralytic man who was brought to Jesus in today’s gospel symbolizes all who are born under the original sin of Adam. As a paralyzed person cannot do anything without the help of others, all men who are born in the original sin of Adam are paralyzed in the spirit in need of help.
None of us found Jesus without any help from other faithful. As the paralytic man was carried by his friends who had faith in Jesus, we were also brought to Jesus by other faithful – whether by our parents or friends or even unknown preachers on the radio. Someone has to bring the Good News to us and to carry us before our Lord. Even St Paul, who had directly heard the voice of Jesus on the way to Damascus, needed Ananias who found him and baptized him, and also Barnabas who brought him to the apostles to explain his conversion.
We never merited our faith. Did the first disciples simply discover Jesus? No. John the Baptist spurred them to follow him. When we are born, we do not know God. This ignorance cannot produce a true knowledge of God. We need help. And this help comes through the faith of others.
I wonder if I have ever carried anyone in spiritual paralysis to Jesus. I pray that the Lord gives me the courage and strength to carry one.
