Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 / Mark 2:1-12
In this fast-paced world, it can be difficult to see what life is all about and it can be difficult to see where life is heading.
It is like flying a jet and trying to figure out where we are on the map at the same time.
But illness and affliction grinds our life almost to a halt.
Then we begin thinking and reflecting.
But for the paralytic in the gospel passage, thinking and reflecting probably only made him more depressed.
Because during that time, illness and affliction were always connected with sin, be it a personal sin or the sin of an earlier generation.
Hence, the paralytic man could only dwell in his own guilt and unforgiveness.
Either he could not forgive himself or he could not forgive his parents or ancestors who sinned and caused him to be in such a state.
But as he came face to face with Jesus, he had also come to acknowledge his sins and to ask for forgiveness.
In our present age, many illnesses and physical afflictions can be cured.
But the illness of the heart, this sin of unforgiveness, whether towards self or towards others, can only be healed by Jesus.
We just have to come before Jesus and acknowledge it and present our burdened and hurting hearts to Jesus.
God wants our hearts to be at rest in His peace.
The 1st reading reminds us that that is God's promise to us.
In God alone will our hearts be at peace and we will rest in His love.