Catholic Reflections - Friday 16 January 2026, Friday of week 1 in Ordinary Time, Mark 2:1–12

Short Reflection:

The Divine Authority to Forgive and Heal

This passage from the Gospel of Mark illustrates a powerful encounter in Capernaum where Jesus demonstrates his divine nature through both spiritual and physical healing. After a group of determined friends lowers a paralyzed man through a rooftop, Jesus first addresses the man’s internal state by forgiving his sins. This action triggers a silent theological dispute with the present scribes, who believe that only God possesses the right to absolve wrongdoing. To prove his celestial authority, Jesus commands the man to stand and walk, resulting in an instantaneous recovery that stuns the witnesses. Ultimately, the narrative serves to validate that Jesus holds the sovereign power to bridge the gap between human suffering and divine mercy.

Long Reflection:

Catholic Reflections – Rise, Pick Up Your Bed, and Go Home

Date: Friday 16 January 2026

Liturgical: Friday of week 1 in Ordinary Time

Outline:

• Opening prayer

• Gospel reading (paraphrased for easy listening)

• Reflection on faith, forgiveness, and Jesus’ authority to heal

• Key points for discipleship

• Concluding prayer

Gospel – Mark 2:1–12 (paraphrased):

After some days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and people quickly heard that He was at home. A great crowd gathered—so many that there was no space left, not even by the door. Jesus preached God’s word to them.

Four men arrived carrying a paralysed man on a mat. But they couldn’t reach Jesus because of the crowd. Refusing to give up, they went up to the roof, opened it, and lowered the man down right in front of Jesus.

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralysed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Some scribes sitting there silently objected, thinking, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and challenged them: “Which is easier—to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’?” Then, to show that He truly has authority on earth to forgive sins, Jesus said to the paralysed man, “I tell you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Immediately the man stood up, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of everyone. The crowd was overwhelmed with amazement, and they glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Key Points:

1. Faith that refuses to quit

The friends don’t accept the obstacle of the crowd. True faith finds a way to bring someone to Jesus.

2. We are carried by the Church

The paralysed man is brought by others. Sometimes we need others’ faith when our strength is low.

3. Jesus goes to the deepest need first

Before healing the body, Jesus forgives sins—showing that spiritual healing is the greater miracle.

4. Jesus’ authority is divine

The question “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” is the point: Jesus reveals who He is—the Son of Man with God’s authority.

5. Forgiveness leads to new life

The man rises and walks. When Jesus forgives and heals, we are not meant to stay on the mat—we are sent forward, changed.

Concluding Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

we bring You our weakness—

the places where we feel stuck, powerless, or burdened.

Give us friends of faith,

and make us friends who carry others to You.

Forgive our sins, Lord,

and heal what is broken within us.

Speak Your word of freedom over our lives:

“Rise… and go home.”

Help us to walk in newness of life—

with gratitude, humility, and courage—

so that our lives may glorify God.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tags: Catholic, Ordinary Time, Mark 2, Capernaum, Paralysed Man, Roof Opened, Faith of Friends, Forgiveness of Sins, Son of Man, Authority of Jesus, Healing, Miracle, Discipleship, Daily Gospel, Prayer, Catholic Podcast, Catholic Reflections