Arise And Walk Considered By Jerome And Hilary — It is easier said than done. Whether the sins of the paralytic were forgiven, only He who forgave them knew for sure.
“Arise and Walk” Both he who arose and those who saw him arise were able to vouch for this. Hence there is a bodily sign in order to demonstrate a spiritual sign, though its impact is to curb the imperfections of body and soul.
And we are given an understanding of sin and many bodily weaknesses to come. Perhaps too, sins are forgiven first, so that with the causes of infirmity removed health may be restored.
Saint Jerome
Further, more so it could be understood that He was in a body and that He could forgive sins and restore health to bodies, Jesus said, ” That you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins,” then He said to the paralytic “Arise. take up your pallet.”
He could have simply said “Arise” but since the reason for doing every work had to be explained, He added “Take up your pallet and go home.”
First, He granted remission of sins; next He showed His ability to restore health. Then with the taking up of the pallet, He made it clear that bodies would be free from infirmity and suffering; last with the paralytic’s return to his home, He showed that believers are being given back the way to paradise from which Adam, the parent of all who became profligate from the stain of sin, had proceeded.
Saint Hilary of Poiters
Saint Jerome was born in Dalmatia in what is now Croatia in about 340 A.D. and died in Bethlehem in 420. He is considered to be one of the Church Fathers.
Saint Hilary was born about 300 A.D. in Poiters in what is now France and died in 368. He was know for opposing heresy.
Courtesy of Holy Myrrh Bearers Church in Swarthmore, Pa.
