The joy of the meeting

Read Time:9 Minute, 30 Second

Meditation on Monday, 2nd week of Advent, year C2

Today’s Gospel speaks of an encounter with Jesus who teaches. Crowds of people are gathered around him. They came from all the places in Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem.

There are Pharisees and scribes among the crowd. They came to the meeting to show off their knowledge and knowledge of the Mosaic Law. They listen carefully to every word of Jesus, compare, evaluate and criticize. They check whether what he says complies with the letter of the Law. They reflect, discuss, convince and prove. They came here in a whole bunch. One confirms each other’s conviction. They are watching everything closely. So far, Jesus has only spoken. And then suddenly, out of nowhere, a bed with a paralyzed man lands in front of him. Who brought it here? What does he want here? And how does Jesus react to all of this? He should be upset, after all. After all, such important topics are discussed here. And He does nothing. He looked up for a moment, then said that the sins of the paralyzed man were forgiven. Well, now it’s gonna get him! After all, there are so many of them. They will tell Him what they think about all of this. Loud and clear, they boldly accuse that Jesus is acting against the law, that he is doing things that only God himself can do. This is blasphemy after all. How can a person forgive sins? Meanwhile, he calmly explains: it is easier to say that the sins of a paralyzed person are forgiven than for a paralyzed person to get up and walk. After all, this is what the sick person is also dictating to do. What strange things? Only God can do that. And he? Who is He?

Among this crowd of people there was a paralyzed man. He has nothing to say, he does not shout, he does not complain, he does not meditate on Jesus’ words. He doesn’t even know how to ask for help anymore. It was brought by brothers. Yes … he had heard of Jesus. But will He have time for someone like that? He has heard that he teaches and heals. Some hope flashed. He confided in a colleague, and the latter took action. He told his friends about everything and asked them to help. Yes, they have heard too. Someone even told one that he had seen Jesus teach and bend over the sick. So they came to the paralyzed man and decided to take him to Jesus. At first he refused, because can he be healed? But they were determined: they would carry it. He agreed, because what does he have to lose? He will get to know this guy and now. At most. And their faith that Jesus can perform such a miracle. Hope flashed again. But… what is that? So many people? What are they looking for here? Were they also come to see Jesus and pray for healing? How to get to Him? What to do here? Well, you hear His words, so He is here. What to do? Suddenly, one of my colleagues has the idea of letting him and his bed through the hatch in the roof into the house where Jesus is. One two Three. These are friends. As they said, yes and they did. He didn’t even have time to look back. He was afraid of this meeting. He didn’t know what to expect. Maybe excuses, criticism, making fun of? Eh… and here? A short while. A look into the eyes. The feeling of closeness, love, unity. What a surprise … Jesus only says that his sins are forgiven, and then he orders him to take up his bed and walk. What a joy! Great joy. Everything is working, legs are moving, hands are moving. He can live and praise God for such a great miracle and gift. He goes home to tell everyone how lucky he is.

Among the crowd there are people who faithfully asked for healing for a sick brother. They cannot get to Jesus. They hear bits and pieces of His teaching. He is here. How to get to Him? They can’t squeeze through this crowd. Too many people. They traveled such a long way to help a friend. They are not surprised that others have also come here. They believe Jesus can heal. He is good, the power of the Lord is in him. All the way they talked about Jesus, about His teachings, about His deeds. If not He, then who? They wanted to take their friend in front of Jesus and ask for his healing. But how to do it? Or maybe through the roof? There is even a hatch.

– Hey … faster, we go to the roof and let down the paralyzed man in front of Jesus.

Just a strong line. And it worked. He noticed, he noticed. And not only paralyzed. Some joy and peace filled their hearts. For a moment they had the impression that Jesus was touching them, joining them in effort, in hope, strengthening in faith, touching their hearts with love. The effort paid off. Jesus is not screaming that they are not on time, that there is no time, that he is busy. He is present in this meeting, he is not chasing anywhere. Has time. He has time to see everything that is happening, listen, understand, sympathize. He has time to forgive sins and command him to walk. He notices the hope and joy placed on him. He has time to talk and explain… even to those who are reluctant to Him. He knows their hearts are restless. They will criticize and judge. They will judge Him.

Among the crowd, there are also people who just came to see. They heard about Jesus. They had already seen him teach. They wonder what it is all about. What is going on here? Who is he? What does he do? Who is he talking and talking to? Who is he talking about? They came to check in person. Oh, he even discusses with these scholars. He has a good word for everyone. Jesus is open to everyone, he speaks to everyone, he notices and notices everyone. He even helps those who do not have the courage to ask for it. They are all on the sidelines. They are watching. They even jostle a bit. They would like to see something more, hear something, find out. They are a bit scared. Maybe it speaks to them? Lend their ear. But be careful…. He calls for change, to follow Him, says He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. To go into the unknown? Trust? Believe? Leave it all they have? And this: they brought to Jesus paralyzed. He fell before Him. As if it fell from heaven. Everyone got scared and upset. How dare he disrupt the meeting? What is he even thinking? How can that be? What did Jesus do? Well, he remained calm. Jesus’ face lit up, he was glad to meet the paralyzed person, he saw in his eyes timid pleas for healing. He did not ask about anything, he did not ridicule or criticize. He paused for a moment in silence. Later, he said that his sins were forgiven, he ordered him to get up and walk. No… it is already beyond human comprehension. This cannot be understood. What a strange man! And such a show. Maybe some magician… ..

We can observe different attitudes in people we meet in our lives. We adopt these attitudes ourselves depending on the situation and the people we meet, depending on whether we are focused on what we are currently experiencing or on meeting another person. As a rule, it is supposed to bring us satisfaction and pleasure.

Not infrequently, like these Pharisees and scribes, we trick ourselves and show off our knowledge and skills. We know better what who should think, feel and do. We do not listen, but we observe, evaluate and criticize everything. We find advice and we settle accounts if this someone did as we said. And if he did not, then we will clearly say what we think about it. Do we hear each other then? Are we talking to each other in this situation?

We are also often supposed to be among people, around a crowd. But it seems we are alone. Nobody understands us. Something is happening, someone is doing something. We meet someone, we even talk and we seem to be listening. But what do we care about this? Let him do it, let him tell himself. He doesn’t understand me, so why should I try to understand him? But I will go and have a look. Time will fly faster. I am not interfering with anyone, so what to whom? We can talk about the weather, we can laugh. Stop. That’s enough. No, he would like to know too much, I’ll look for someone else. I can’t trust. Everyone uses. You have to set boundaries and carefully watch over.

We are also often paralyzed. We are so fed up with everything that we don’t want anything. They don’t enjoy meeting people. The surrounding nature does not enjoy it. Something would be done, but for what? For whom? He would meet someone. But what to talk to him about? Better to sit at home. Go nowhere. Well, maybe to work and back. Do your job and have peace of mind. And then there is a computer, the Internet, and television. We can play some games, sit on social networks. Write something there. Someone to answer something. But nothing really can amaze us. Meeting another human being? Well, we meet thousands of people. Everyone has their own life, they run somewhere, they chase somewhere, there is no time. God, inscribing in our hearts the longing for Him, but also for other people, aroused a spark of hope. It is enough to try to open up a little, trust this hope, trust in God. And then you don’t have to do anything anymore, just be. Just stay with Him. God will do the rest.

It’s good if we stop when we meet another person. It’s good if we smile at him, we greet him. It is good if we can look into the eyes, marvel at its beauty, bend over its misfortune. It’s good if we can stop here and now, listen, understand, support us with a good word, a tender gesture, sometimes an idea and good advice, other times with a small gift or time spent together, or maybe just doing a small favor. Seemingly nothing, and so much. Just a moment. Openness to the other, because each of us is different, and therefore beautiful and amazing. A short while. A look with love. Then, as in Jesus, there is God’s power in us, God’s power of His love. God’s healing power. Then we can be overwhelmed by amazement and curiosity, because strange things are happening. Then, fearing God, we can praise God because He has done great things for us. Then we can enjoy the closeness of another human being and the closeness of God. He redeemed us. We can praise Him by joyfully singing along with others. We can be happy forever because the sadness and sighing are gone.