Paralytic

MAY 22 16 1JN 3:16-24, AC 3:1-16, JN 5:1-15 Christ is Risen!

As Preached by Sister Cecelia, Holy Wisdom Church


This morning’s gospel is a simple story that probably had more fact than symbolism concerning the poor man for whom Jesus felt such compassion. Instead of the joy one might expect to see from this invalid regaining his health, much disapproval and anger takes place. It was the Sabbath and no work is to be done on the Sabbath. The original law only stated the Sabbath was to be different than the other days and that neither a man nor his servants nor his animals were to work on that day. Through the years this simple rule was made into thousands of minute rules and regulations, many carrying a punishment of being stoned to death if broken. That sort of explains why the paralytic excused his carrying his bed and then later went to the leaders naming Jesus as the man who told him to carry his bed. After regaining his health he did not relish the idea of being stoned.

Some of us appreciate symbolic meanings in writing and art works more than others but all of us can derive some meaning from symbolism. It is doubtful that St. John wrote about the paralytic with any allegorical meaning in mind but that has not prevented many from seeing even deeper meaning into the story.

Some scholars have interpreted the paralyzed man as standing for the people of Israel. The 5 porches are interpreted as the 5 books of the law. In those same porches the people lay ill. The law could lay bare a person’s weaknesses but could not mend or cure them. The law, like the porches, could shelter the sick but could never heal them. The 38 yrs stand for the centuries the people had been waiting for the Messiah. The stirring of the waters stands for baptism. There are in some early Christian art depictions of a man rising from the baptismal waters carrying a bed upon his back.

Aside from seeing the allegorical meaning that could be attached to this gospel, compassion stemming from love is the theme of all three readings today. Jesus is telling us that God did not stop working on the Sabbath and neither did he. God rested from the work of creation but the work of compassion, love, mercy and judgement continues. Jesus teaches that human need must be helped. Other work may be laid aside but the work of compassion - no. The Christian’s compassion must become like God’s, unceasing.

What brings about our ability to love and be compassionate as God is? There are two things that seem necessary . It is the realization that those who suffer are simply the other side of ourselves.

They remind us of our own vulnerability. Compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all living beings. We are all part of one another, and all involved with one another. Sympathy understands the feelings of the one who suffers; empathy feels the feelings of those who suffer and are moved to help relieve the suffering.

The other realization is that we have no power of our own. We can be only channels of the power of our Risen Lord. If I only think of what I can do and be, it is most likely that I will experience great frustration and fear. If I think rather, not I, but Christ in me, there will be peace and power.

Knowing our own shortcomings and weaknesses, we all depend on the compassion of God.

Are there others depending on me for the same thing?

Christ is in our midst!