True friendship

“And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith he said, ‘As for you your sins are forgiven.... ‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ he said to the man who was paralyzed. ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home. He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God” (Lk 5:19-25).

I am sure there are many great lessons to be learned in this story and much theological discussion to be had, but for me the friendship of the men who attended to the paralytic man and their determination to have him be seen by Jesus is most striking. I can only hope that I can be as intent with my friends, and family members, to be truly concerned with their health and well being, both physically and spiritually. To the men who carried the man on the stretcher and for their resolve to have him well I say thank you for this lesson in true friendship.

Al Hooper
Director, Social Ministry Office
Archdiocese of Denver