Reflect today on the love that Jesus also had for those who treated him badly

And some men carried a man who was paralyzed on a stretcher; they were trying to bring him inside and put him in his presence. But not finding a way to let him in because of the crowd, they went up to the roof and lowered him onto the stretcher through the tiles in the middle before Jesus. Luke 5: 18-19

Interestingly, as these faith-filled friends of the paralyzed man lowered him from the roof in front of Jesus, Jesus was surrounded by Pharisees and teachers of the law "from every village in Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem" (Luke 5: 17). Religious leaders came in droves. They were among the most educated of the Jews and by chance they were among those who had gathered to see Jesus speak that day. And it was partly because of the large number of them gathered around Jesus that the friends of the paralytic could not reach Jesus without this radical move of opening the roof.

So what does Jesus do when he sees the paralytic lowered before him from the roof? He told the paralytic that his sins had been forgiven. Unfortunately, those words were immediately met with severe internal criticism from these religious leaders. They said among themselves: “Who is he who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins? "(Luke 5:21)

But Jesus knew their thoughts and decided to do another act for the good of these religious leaders. The first act of Jesus, forgiving the sins of the paralytics, was for the good of the paralytic. But the physical healing of the paralytic, interestingly, seems to be primarily for these pompous and hypocritical Pharisees and teachers of the law. Jesus heals man so that they “know that the Son of man has the authority on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). As soon as Jesus performs this miracle, the Gospel tells us that all were “struck with awe” and glorified God. Apparently, this included the judging religious leaders.

So what does it teach us? It shows how deeply Jesus loved these religious leaders despite their exceptional pride and judgment. He wanted to conquer them. He wanted them to be converted, humbled and turned to Him. It is quite easy to show love and compassion to those already paralyzed, rejected and humiliated. But it takes an incredible amount of love to take a deep interest in even the proud and arrogant.

Reflect today on the love Jesus had for these religious leaders. Even though they came to find fault with him, misjudged him and continually tried to trap him, Jesus never stopped trying to conquer them. As you think about this mercy of our Lord, also consider the person in your life who is most difficult to love and commit to loving him with all your heart in imitation of our divine Lord.

My most merciful Lord, give me a heart of forgiveness and mercy for others. Help me, in particular, to have a deep concern for those I find most difficult to love. In imitation of Your divine mercy, strengthen me to act with a radical love for all so that they can know you more deeply. Jesus I believe in you.