A book a few years ago described the “silent witnesses in the gospels” who step onto the stage without any lines but have a profound impact nonetheless. One example are the men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. St. Luke says: When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” It wasn’t the faith of the paralytic but the faith of his friends that prompted the healing. We all know people who need healing — physical, psychological, emotional healing. The lesson from this story: bring those we care about to Jesus. Jesus counts on OUR faith to be the catalyst for change in those who are hurting. It is our relationship with Jesus that ripples out to change our circle of care to include the world.
