Second Sunday of the Great Lent: Rise and Walk in the Light of Christ!

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Mark (Mk 2:1-12).

After some days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and it was reported that he was at home. A large crowd gathered, so much so that there was no more room, not even at the door, and he was preaching the word to them.

Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. But since they could not get near him because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above where Jesus was. After making an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Now some scribes were sitting there, thinking in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Immediately, Jesus, perceiving in his spirit what they were thinking within themselves, said to them, "Why do you think these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"—he said to the paralytic—"I say to you, get up, take your mat, and go home."

The man got up, immediately took his mat, and walked out in front of everyone. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Reflection.

Dearest brothers and sisters, peace and blessings to you all!

Today, on our journey through Great Lent, the Church offers us two readings that speak of the greatness of Christ and the power of faith.

Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:10–2:3), reminds us that Jesus Christ, the eternal Logos, is the foundation of the world and the Lord of history. The Gospel of Mark, on the other hand, shows us a tangible faith that leads to salvation: the paralytic of Capernaum, unable to move on his own, is brought to Jesus and receives not only physical healing but, above all, the forgiveness of sins.

This Sunday is also dedicated to Saint Gregory Palamas, a very important saint for our faith, as he defended and explained how man can truly encounter God and partake of His grace.

Saint Paul writes:

"In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain." (Hebrews 1:10–11).

Here, we encounter a profound truth: Jesus Christ is not just a prophet or a teacher of wisdom, but He is the eternal Logos—the Word of God through whom all things were created. This concept is fundamental to our faith: the world is not the result of chance, but it was created by God through the Logos, that is, the Son.

Saint Irenaeus of Lyons explains:

"The Son, who is the Wisdom of God, established the heavens and the earth and gave form to creation." (Adversus Haereses, IV, 20, 1).

Christ is the beginning and the end of all things. But He is not only the Creator; He is also the Savior—the one who comes to restore what sin has destroyed.

Today's Gospel presents a moving scene: four men bring a paralyzed man before Jesus, even going so far as to open the roof of the house to lower him down. Seeing their faith, Jesus says to the patient,

"Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mk 2:5).

There is something astonishing here: the paralytic came seeking healing for his body, yet Jesus first heals him in his soul. This teaches us that the gravest illness is not physical but spiritual—the sin that separates us from God.

Saint John Chrysostom comments,

"The paralytic desired health for his body, but Christ granted him first the healing of his soul, for this is true salvation." (Homilies on Matthew, 29:2).

A particular moment comes to my mind, one that I experienced just last Saturday. I went to Bologna to bless two homes: one belonging to a couple of my friends, Federica and Riccardo, and the other to Federica’s mother. It was a day of grace and mercy because not only were their homes blessed, but their souls also received spiritual healing through the sacrament of confession.

The most moving moment was when Filippo, Federica’s brother, at the end of his confession, told me in amazement: "It was so strange because it felt as if someone had lifted a weight off me. It was like having all my bones broken, and suddenly, they were put back in place, as if I had just been to a chiropractor."

These words touched me deeply because they express in a tangible way what happens when we open ourselves to God's mercy: He does not simply forgive us, He lifts us up, restores us, and puts us back on our feet, just as He did with the paralytic in the Gospel.

When we approach the sacraments with faith, we discover that God’s grace is not just an abstract concept but a living and active reality. True healing is not only that of the body but, above all, that of the soul, because it allows us to walk again in light and peace.

This raises a question for us: how can we also receive this spiritual healing? The answer can be found in the teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas. The Church celebrates him today because he explained how we can truly encounter God and partake in His life.

Saint Gregory, who lived in the 14th century, defended the tradition of hesychasm (from the Greek hesychía, meaning "inner peace, silence").

Hesychasm is a form of deep prayer in which the believer, by repeatedly invoking the name of Jesus with faith and love, opens their heart to the presence of God. The most commonly used formula is:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

This is not merely a repetition of words, but a way to enter into communion with God, allowing His light to transform us.

Saint Gregory Palamas taught that while God is inaccessible in His essence, He draws near to us through His divine energies—that is, His life-giving grace. He is like the sun: we cannot touch the sun itself, but we can receive its light and warmth.

Saint Gregory writes:

"The divine energies are the light by which God manifests Himself to the saints." (Triads, I,3,22).

This is the same light that the saints see and experience when they pray with a pure heart.

This light is beautifully expressed in an ancient hymn of the Church, the Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν), which we sing at Vespers:

"Joyful light of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly Father, holy and blessed, O Jesus Christ!".

This light is not merely symbolic—it is the real presence of God that illuminates and transforms those who open themselves to His grace.

In the Gospel, after encountering Christ, the paralytic rises and walks: the light of His mercy has healed him. This is what happens to anyone who relies on God with humility and prayer.

Dear friends, this Sunday teaches us three fundamental truths:

Christ is the eternal Logos, the foundation of creation, and our Savior. Without Him, everything falls apart.

Faith opens us to salvation, just as the paralytic was brought to Jesus. Through prayer and the sacraments, we too can receive spiritual healing.

God transforms us with His light, as Saint Gregory Palamas teaches. By opening ourselves to Him, we can partake in His grace and experience true life.

Lent is the time when we are called to rise from the paralysis of sin and walk in the light of Christ. Like the paralytic, let us allow the Lord to take our hand and follow Him with faith and love.

To Him be the glory, now and forever, throughout the ages. Amen!

Archpriest Michele Alberto Del Duca.