Faith for a friend

Gospel: Lk 5:17-26

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121123.cfm

What is faith? When Jesus uses the word faith, I do not think he is actually saying, “Because they believed I was the son of God.” In this particular reading, Luke does not show anything of the sort. Luke tells the story of a group of people who wanted to get someone in front of Jesus so that they could walk again. The group was very creative in their approach to make that happen. They were not there for their own forgiveness or their healing but for the healing of another. Jesus chooses to forgive their sin before he heals their friend.

So what is this faith that Jesus is talking about here? The message of Jesus is agape love. Agape love is selfless, unconditional, and willing to lay down one's life for another. The group showed agape love for the paralyzed person. They had heard stories or maybe witnessed Jesus’s healing power previously and thought they should take their friend to see him. When they saw the possibility that Jesus could heal their friend, they gave of themselves for the opportunity for their friend to potentially get healed. They had to carry the man to the area where Jesus was preaching. They tried getting through the crowd, and finally, they devised a creative solution to climb on the roof and lower the man down. They went to great lengths just for the possibility that Jesus could help. They were selfless for another person.

The message of faith is one of action for others. Faith is being willing to give of yourself for the needs of others freely. Countless reasons stop us from truly being there for others; thus, it takes faith to do it. Reflect on times that you’ve witnessed this kind of faith.