January 16, 2026 // Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
Reflect on the Word //
I’d clung to it as a beacon of hope: a long-awaited appointment with a specialist who’d worked wonders for others. Yet he had no novel ideas or solutions for me, just the usual treatments. I left deflated and disoriented, bone-weary from my suffering. I sent a dejected text to my friend who had been praying, and she called immediately—grieving with me in my tears, gently consoling me, and carrying me back to the Heart of Jesus—just like the paralytic’s friends in today’s Gospel.
Like the paralytic, I marvel at this Divine Physician Who triages health of the soul before physical health. “Child, your sins are forgiven,” Jesus declares to the paralytic upon his friends’ great show of faith (Mark 2:5). Then, to the doubting and indignant hearts in the crowd, Jesus says, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9)
Why easier, Lord—of all the words You could choose?
Easier implies degrees of difficulty, a comparative challenge. I gradually grasp how the spiritual healing of forgiveness that Jesus offers takes more effort, is more rare—and therefore, is more precious even than physical healing. Physical healing can come through many means; the healing of forgiveness can only come through Him.
This is the healing He knows we need most.
How many times have I shuffled into the confessional, spiritually paralyzed by my sin—only to stroll out minutes later, restored and redeemed? How many times have I received this miraculous healing yet hardly acknowledged it, or considered it inferior to physical relief? Still, despite my ignorance and reluctance, the moment I cooperate, He continues to heal me in the most priceless way.
Lord, You desire this priceless gift for each of us. You offer us inexhaustible forgiveness and give us faithful community to carry us back to You, the Divine Physician. For our sake, You never take the easy way out.
Thank You for inviting us to the same.
Thank You for prioritizing what’s eternally best for us, and always offering us first the healing we need most.
Relate to the Lord // Where have you been looking for the easiest way? Ask Jesus to reveal the most valuable way.
Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, enthusiastic hockey mom, and Army Veteran living in Denver, CO. In her “spare” time she serves as a Catholic Writer, Speaker, and Women’s Mentor, helping women to embrace their God-given dignity and deepen their prayer relationship with the Lord. She is the author Offer it Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Suffering, a writer for SpiritualDirection.com, and a longtime team member of Blessed is She. Megan adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors almost as much as she adores Jesus in the Eucharist. Learn more at MeganHjelmstad.com.
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