Luke 5:17-26

Today we are looking at one of the earliest (if not the earliest) representation of a miracle in Christian art. This mural painting was found at Dura-Europos house, in Syria. It was a privately owned house, which became a small house of worship in the first half of the 3rd century. Alongside other mural paintings that were found in the house, they were removed soon after their discovery in 1921 and brought to the Yale University Art Gallery, in New Haven, Connecticut.

This mural decorated the walls of the baptistry in the house. As such it suggests that the story of the healing of the paralytic is a baptismal event. Just as Jesus raised the paralytic from his bed, so are we raised into a new life after our baptism.

We see Jesus as the central figure, pointing his hand over the paralytic man who has been lowered on the stretcher. On the left we see the man after being healed, walking away, joyfully carrying his stretcher. The figure of Jesus in this fresco is one of the the oldest we know. He is depicted wearing a tunic and already with a pallium (a woollen vestment consisting of a narrow circular band placed round the shoulders with a short lappet hanging from front and back). He is also wearing sandals and has short cropped hair. He is thus depicted as a youthful Teacher.

Today’s reading is a lesson in how we need to persist in our faith. Faith is about much more than just saying the right words. Faith ploughs through obstacles. Faith finds a way. Faith builds confidence that our effort is worthwhile and never goes unnoticed by Jesus. In our Gospel reading today, it shows that at times we need to be bold and persistent to get close to Jesus. We therefore cannot simply keep our faith as a private matter. No, we too need to burst through the roof and articulate our faith with our deeds. Faith is meant to be seen, lovingly shared,… a shining light in the darkness… which is exactly what Advent is about…