At Home

And after getting into a boat Jesus crossed the sea and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. Matthew 9:1-8 

I have lived in many places in my life and since my Mother's death, our family house has been sold. Over the years, I have come to understand that a home is very different than a house. We can make our homes in many places, as long as the people we love are nearby, and we have a sense of being grounded and belonging. I really don't know what Jesus' home was like. I imagine something very simple, more like our Indigenous longhouses than our modern day dwellings. And I know that he had a sense of belonging and being grounded in that place.

Jesus goes home and comes across a very broken man, who surrounded by friends, is being carried to Jesus for healing. It is quite possible that he knew the paralyzed man and his friends. Despite the taunting of the scribes (who he probably also knew), he healed the man and forgave him whatever was on his heart. He did this at home, a place where earlier he had been rejected. He knew he belonged and he knew his community needed healing as much as the wide world. We are reminded today that God makes a home with us, wherever we find ourselves, and that God's desire for us is healing and forgiveness.

Today I ask God to help me know the divine presence and indwelling spirit. May our homes and hearts be open and ready for the renewal of God.