Carried by Friends

 

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12 

O loving Creator who places us in families

who weaves our hearts into communities 

whose design is found in interdependence

help us to carry one another and care again.

We are shattered by the echoes of violence

now afraid of our neighbors and friends

worried and troubled we toss about

yet you call us to lean in to one another.

You saw the love of friends who carried

breaking through a roof for one's healing

their effort brought restoration to all

love again shattering all the physical barriers.

Help us to act for our neighbors today

let our small faith help reconcile our world

make us your strength and presence now

so that love can break the dividing walls down.Amen