http://www.easterbrooks.com/cgi-bin/Cathcal.cgi?20050114

First Reading: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 78:3, 4, 6-7, 8
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

First Reading: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11

1

Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed.

2

For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.

3

For we who believed enter into (that) rest, just as he has said: "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest,'" and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world.

4

For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works";

5

and again, in the previously mentioned place, "They shall not enter into my rest."

11

Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

Table of Contents Hebrews 4

Footnotes

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 78:3, 4, 6-7, 8

2

¹ I will open my mouth in story, drawing lessons from of old.

3

We have heard them, we know them; our ancestors have recited them to us.

5

God set up a decree in Jacob, established a law in Israel: What he commanded our ancestors, they were to teach their children;

6

That the next generation might come to know, children yet to be born. In turn they were to recite them to their children,

7

that they too might put their trust in God, And not forget the works of God, keeping his commandments.

Table of Contents Psalms 78

Footnotes

¹ [2] Story: Hebrew mashal literally means "comparison" and can signify a story with a hidden meaning. Matthew 13:35 cites the verse to explain Jesus' use of parables.

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

1

^{1 2} When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.

2

Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

3

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

4

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

5

³ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven."

6

⁴ Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,

7

"Why does this man speak that way? ⁵ He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

8

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

9

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?

10

⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"--

11

he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

12

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

Table of Contents Mark 2

Footnotes

¹ [1-3:6] This section relates a series of conflicts between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees in which the growing opposition of the latter leads to their plot to put Jesus to death (Mark 3:6).

² [1] He was at home: to the crowds that gathered in and outside the house Jesus preached the word, i.e., the gospel concerning the nearness of the kingdom and the necessity of repentance and faith (Mark 1:14).

³ [5] It was the faith of the paralytic and those who carried him that moved Jesus to heal the sick man. Accounts of other miracles of Jesus reveal more and more his emphasis on faith as the requisite for exercising his healing powers (Mark 5:34; 9:23-24; 10:52).

⁴ [6] Scribes: trained in oral interpretation of the written law; in Mark's gospel, adversaries of Jesus, with one exception (Mark 12:28, 34).

⁵ [7] He is blaspheming: an accusation made here and repeated during the trial of Jesus (Mark 14:60-64).

⁶ [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man . . . on earth: although Mark 2:8-9 are addressed to the scribes, the sudden interruption of thought and structure in Mark 2:10 seems not addressed to them nor to the paralytic. Moreover, the early public use of the designation "Son of Man" to unbelieving scribes is most unlikely. The most probable explanation is that Mark's insertion of Mark 2:10 is a commentary addressed to Christians for whom he recalls this miracle and who already accept in faith that Jesus is Messiah and Son of God.