A Homily on Mark 2:1 – 12 : Friendship is a Blessing (16-1-26)

A reflection on healing through faithful friendship in Mark 2:1 – 12( 16-1-26)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

There was once a monastery where life moved gently, day after day. The monks prayed together at dawn, worked side by side, and gathered again in the evening. There was laughter at times and silence too, yet it never felt heavy. Peace seemed to rest on the place. After some time, the one in charge began to notice a small change. One monk no longer smiled. He came for prayer as before and did his work without complaint, yet something in his face had grown tired. No one spoke about it and life went on as usual, but as the days passed the tired look did not leave him. One of the monks noticed this and chose not to ask questions or offer advice. He simply stayed close. During work he walked beside him, at meals he sat near him, and in prayer he remained quietly present. Slowly, almost without anyone noticing, the heaviness began to loosen. The monk’s face softened and peace returned. He was not healed by instruction or correction, but by friendship.

This quiet story helps us listen more deeply to today’s Gospel. In Mark 2:1 – 12, we are told that a man was brought to Jesus by others. They were not strangers, they  might be his  friends, or people who loved him enough to take responsibility for him. The Gospel clearly says, “When Jesus saw their faith” (Mark 2:5). The man was healed not because of his own faith, but because of the faith of those who carried him. Friendship became the way through which God’s grace reached him.

Friendship is a great relationship in the eyes of God. In the Old Testament, we see this clearly in the friendship of David and Jonathan. The Scripture says that the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (1 Samuel 18:1). Jonathan protected David even at the cost of his own future. That friendship saved David’s life and prepared him for God’s plan.

Jesus himself lifted friendship to its highest place. He said to his disciples, “I no longer call you servants. I call you friends” (John 15:15). Jesus did not save us from a distance. He walked with us, shared life with us, and carried us through love.

This truth speaks directly to daily life, especially to family life. Many families live under the same roof, yet friendship slowly fades. Husband and wife share duties, but not always their hearts. Parents care deeply for their children, yet forget to walk patiently with them. Brothers and sisters grow up together, but drift apart inside. When friendship weakens, faith also begins to grow tired.

In a family, friendship is not a luxury. It is necessary. Correction alone cannot heal. Advice alone cannot give strength. A listening heart, a gentle presence, and shared prayer give life. Children grow strong in faith when they feel carried, not controlled. When friendship is alive in the family, blessings enter quietly and remain.

There are moments when one person in the family becomes weak in faith. Prayer feels heavy and hope feels distant. In such moments, God does not wait for that person to rise alone. He works through others. This is the same pattern we see in Scripture. When Moses grew tired during prayer, his hands began to fall, and the people lost strength. Two companions stood beside him and held his hands until evening, and victory followed (Exodus 17:8–13).

The same truth applies to religious life. Community is more than shared prayer and common rules. It is shared faith. When one brother or sister grows weary, friendship must come before instruction. Without friendship, religious life becomes heavy. With friendship, it becomes a place of healing and renewal.

At the end of the Gospel, the healed man returns home (Mark 2:12). Friendship does not bind or control. It restores dignity and freedom, allowing a person to stand again and return to life.

Today the Gospel gently asks us. Am I a friend who carries others. And do I allow others to carry me when my own strength fails.

Lord Jesus, give us good friends and make us good friends to others. Amen 

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