14 January 2022 Mark 2:1-12
Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
FOUNDATIONAL FAITH
“A paralytic carried by four men… seeing their faith he healed him” (Mark 3:5).
The gospel helps us to recall the day of our infant baptism! The paralytic is being carried by four men. The four companions of the paralytic are four men of great faith and it was their faith that Jesus healed him (We do not know if the paralytic was a man of faith for such a healing).
There was a day in our life similar event happened in our Christian life. The day of our baptism when we were literally carried by 4 people (Mother, Father, God-Father and God-Mother) for baptism. Sin paralyzes us spiritually. We were also paralyzed in a sense because of the stain of original sin. It was the faith of my parents and God-parents that gave remission of original sin (healing) as they professed faith on behalf of me.
It directs us to the ‘inherited faith’ from parents which is foundational to our Christian existence. Loyalty to this faith is very important for salvation. It can be a valid argument to perverted Christians who have denounced their inherited catholic faith and sacramental life to join the theatric-religious sects started by some tele-evangelizers. By denouncing their inherited faith they not only betray their parents but also the foundation of their faith. Amen.