ACC ~ Mark 2 v1 - 12

OVERVIEW:

Jesus charged the paralytic to perform an action of which health was the necessary condition (AMBROSE). One need not be paralyzed bodily, however, to be paralyzed inwardly (AUGUSTINE). The healing of body and soul occurs interconnectedly (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA). The ministry of forgiveness is not the exercise of an independent power or right but points to God’s own saving work (AMBROSE). The administration of forgiveness, which according to the scribes is the office of God alone, acutely raised the question of Jesus’ identity. Being God incarnate, of the same nature as God, he had authority on earth to act as God (CHRYSOSTOM). If Christ forgives sins, he must be truly God, for no one can forgive sins but God (IRENAEUS, NOVATIAN).

2:7a | It Is Blasphemy!

THE SCRIBES’ ENTANGLEMENT

CHRYSOSTOM: They persecuted Jesus not only because he broke the Sabbath but also because he said that God was his Father, making himself equal with God, [1] which is a far more drastic declaration. He confirmed this through his own actions. … The scribes themselves had devised this definition. [2] They themselves had introduced the precept. They themselves had interpreted the law. But he proceeded to entangle them in their own words. In effect he said: It is you yourselves who have confessed that forgiveness of sins is given to God alone. THE PARALYTIC LET DOWN THROUGH THE ROOF 6. [3]

[1] Jn 5:16-18.

[2] That only God can forgive.

[3] TLG 2062.063, 51.59.19-23,35-39; NPNF 1 9:218**.

2:7b | Who Can Forgive Sins but God Alone?

ONLY GOD FORGIVES SIN

IRENAEUS: How can sins be rightly remitted unless the very One against whom one has sinned grants the pardon? [1] AGAINST HERESIES 5.17.1. [2]

[1] 1 Sam 2:25.

[2] AHR 2:370; GMI 45*. The issue is who has the right to forgive sin.

THE IMPLICATION OF HIS ACT OF FORGIVING

NOVATIAN: If Christ forgives sins, Christ must be truly God because no one can forgive sins but God alone. [1] THE TRINITY 13. [2]

[1] Mt 9:2; Mk 2:5; Lk 5:20-21.

[2] Cetedoc 0071, 13.37; FC 67:54*. His act of forgiveness implies that he indeed is God.

THE MINISTRY OF FORGIVENESS

AMBROSE: In their ministry of the forgiveness of sin, pastors do not exercise the right of some independent power. For not in their own name but in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit do they forgive sins. They ask, the Godhead forgives. The service is enabled by humans, but the gift comes from the Power on high. THE HOLY SPIRIT 3.18.137. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0151, 3.18.137.208.44; FC 44:202-03**, cf. NPNF 2 10:154. Ministers of the Eucharist do not of themselves have the autonomous power to forgive.

2:8 | Why Do You Question Thus in Your Hearts?

DISCERNING SECRETS OF THE HEART

CHRYSOSTOM: The scribes asserted that only God could forgive sins, yet Jesus not only forgave sins, but showed that he had also another power that belongs to God alone: the power to disclose the secrets of the heart. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 29.1. [1]

[1] TLG 2062.152, 57.359.53-57; JF B 82; NPNF 1 10:196.

2:9 | Which Is Easier to Say?

HEALING THE WHOLE PERSON

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: The physician’s art, according to Democritus, heals the diseases of the body; wisdom frees the soul from its obsessions. But the good Instructor, Wisdom, who is the Word of the Father who assumed human flesh, cares for the whole nature of his creature. The all-sufficient Physician of humanity, the Savior, heals both body and soul conjointly. “Stand up,” he commanded the paralytic; “take the bed on which you lie, and go home”; and immediately the paralytic received strength. [1] CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 1.4. [2]

[1] Mk 2:11.

[2] TLG 0555.002, 1.2.6.2.1-3.3; ANF 2:210**.

2:10 | Authority on Earth

ACTING UPON HIS OWN AUTHORITY

CHRYSOSTOM: Whenever there was need to punish or to honor, to forgive sins or to make laws, Christ was fully authorized to do it. [1] Whenever Christ had to do any of these much greater things, you will not characteristically find him praying or calling on his Father for assistance. All these things, as you discover in the text, he did on his own authority. ON THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE NATURE OF GOD, HOMILY 10.19. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 28:18.

[2] TLG 2062.018, 48.787.44-48; FC 72:251**. Jesus had full authority on earth to act as God.

2:11 | Take Up Your Pallet

REVERSE YOUR RELATION WITH SICKNESS

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you. HOMILY 50:6. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0227, 24.50.98; SSGF 4:191**; cf. PL 52:339.

THE CHARGE TO PERFORM AN ACT OF WHICH HEALTH IS A NECESSARY CONDITION

AMBROSE: He charged the man to perform an action of which health was the necessary condition, even while the patient was still praying for a remedy for his disease. … It was our Lord’s custom to require of those whom he healed some response or duty to be done. [1] ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 4.8.54-55. [2]

[1] Jn 5:8; 8:11.

[2] Cetedoc 0150, 4.5.37; GMI 48.*

INWARD PARALYSIS

AUGUSTINE: You have been a paralytic inwardly. You did not take charge of your bed. Your bed took charge of you. ON THE PSALMS 41.4. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0283, 38.40.5.10; NPNF 1 8:129. One can be paralytic inwardly without bodily paralysis.