Mark: The Scribes Criticize

1. Additional Scriptural readings suggested: Mark 3:13-19a; 3:1 -6

2. A short reading:

"Inability to think or make acts during prayer must not sadden your soul. The best part of prayer, and indeed its essence is the wish to do it. Before God, desire counts for everything, in both good and evil." (Jean-Pierre de Caussade, The Fire of Divine Love, 30)

3. Text for meditation (in Italics):

^2:1 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ² 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. 3 Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ 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. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." ⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷ "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" ⁸ 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? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? ¹⁰ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- ¹¹ "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home."

4. Reflections: Not everyone in that room with Jesus was eager to hear what He had to say. The teachers at the synagogue (the scribes) were listening to Jesus, not to hear something good but to catch Him in something questionable. How many times do we do that to others? We are not really listening, but arguing, just waiting our turn to shoot back. The scribes did have an important concern. They wanted to protect the Hebrew idea of the sovereignty of God. What they saw was a challenge to their tradition. I think the problem was not so much their question as their attitude. Jesus was condemned in their eyes before He had a chance to demonstrate God's power.

The word selection here gives us the idea that Jesus honed in on their thoughts. They were accusing Jesus of blasphemy, that is, of impugning the reputation of the Almighty. They thought Jesus was usurping God's authority, or trying to. If they were right, Jesus would be insulting or profaning God. The scribes asked "why" and Jesus answered with a "why." What do you make of that? The plain facts are that the scribes had mixed tradition with the Word of God and in so doing warped what God was saying to the people. Jesus wants them -- and us -- to think!

Which would be easier, to say someone is forgiven or to heal someone who is deformed or crippled? To me it would be considerably easier to pronounce someone's sins forgiven. Who would know whether Jesus was right or wrong? But healing a desperate man, that is another matter. So the Lord tells the scribes that they will know He speaks the truth about forgiveness, based on the power He unleashes against the man's impossible physical condition. Seeing one miracle they can imply the other. The question, as it so often is, is authority. Does Jesus have it or not? This is very important for us. Of course, the resurrection -- with so many witnesses -- was the pivotal miracle! If He is raised from the dead, then nothing is impossible for Him. Thank God.

5. Questions raised today for personal reflection:

When is an opinion just an opinion? Some people waste a lot of time and energy trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. This is where many denominations come from, from attempts to establish one's opinion as dogma. John Wesley gave some good advice here, an opinion doesn't strike at "the root or marrow" of faith. That is, unless your opinion touches at the very heart of eternal truth, such as the divinity of Jesus, for example, then it is best to back off and pray good prayers for those who think differently from you. Remember, rise above criticism; don't personalize it, even if it is aimed at you directly. If you do personalize the issue, it may hinder your prayers.

Why was Jesus so ambiguous in his response to the scribes? Reading the exchanges of Jesus with others we find that He often says just enough so that the other person(s) will have to figure things out for themselves. Revelation as to the person and work of Jesus is sometimes straightforward, but often -- like parables -- is left to the imagination. If Jesus could heal a man so badly crippled, then it stands to reason that His authority ("power") also extends to the inner self of the healed man.. .and others as well. We usually find three factors in revelation (unveiling the truth): (1) the Holy Spirit at work, (2) the witness of a disciple (Christian), and (3) the deep need of the person addressed to figure things out.

6. Suggestions for prayer: Let us thank God He knows us inside out. We should also pray that we will know the difference between an opinion we hold and "Gospel truth." Even when we are right, we need to be gentle and patient with others. We should also pray to be open to just criticism. That is not easy. Think of someone you know who is dogmatic and pray for a spirit of kindness to characterize that person. Oh yes, let us pray for the desire to pray, even if we find prayer difficult.