Message of Abbot Paul - Friday - 12th January 2024

​While for the major feasts of the liturgical year all Christians follow roughly the same calendar, each denomination, local church and religious family also has its own particular calendar. At Belmont we follow the Benedictine Calendar with a fair number of national and local celebrations added such as the saints of Herefordshire. So it was that yesterday we celebrated the feast of that great English Cistercian abbot, St Aelred of Rievaulx, rather than today when we keep the feast of one of the patrons of the English monasteries, St Benet Biscop. Whereas Aelred was a great teacher and writer, especially on the subject of spiritual friendship, Benet was a man of great culture and learning, who brought back to Wearmouth and Jarrow from Rome, whole libraries of books and manuscripts, liturgical chant and choirmasters, stained glass and artisans and much else to enhance the life of the Church in this country, Aelred was a 12th Century Cistercian, Benet a 7th Century Benedictine. I particularly love celebrating our British saints. What a wonderful legacy of faith and spirituality they have left us.

 

Today’s Gospel passage from Mark (Mk 2: 1-12) is the famous miracle of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof of the house where Jesus was staying. It’s such a wonderful story, so rich in content, that I present it in its entirety. “When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’”

 

​There is much to discover in this passage. To begin with, Jesus has now established his centre of activity at Capernaum. From now on the crowds are never lacking; this often makes it difficult for individuals to get close to Jesus. Here we see the ingenuity and perseverance of the paralytic’s family and friends. We are told that Jesus is moved by their faith, but rather than heal he paralytic immediately, he says, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” There we have the first appearance of the scribes or doctors of the Law in Mark. They object to Jesus saying, “Your sins are forgiven.” For the time being they do not criticise Jesus openly, but Mark lays bare the thoughts of their hearts. Jesus knows exactly what they are thinking, so he heals the paralytic, asking the scribes whether it is easier to forgive or to heal, as it is through his divine power that he does both. This is not only a miracle but a lesson for the scribes and all those who care to listen to his words. The crowds, amazed, praise God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this before.” What they have seen is the hand of God at work as it was when, at the beginning, all was created. This is a new creation.

 

​Today we thank God for healing and forgiving us in Christ, something he does in all the Sacraments and whenever to turn to him in prayer and in any need. God is always there for us. He is never absent, even though we might forget him. He loves us and wants only what is best for us. This miracle also reminds us of how important our prayers for others are, and all forms of intercessory prayer. Let us never tire of praying for others. Lord, come among us today to heal and forgive. Above all, have mercy on those who are suffering. Amen.