Today we begin a run through Walter Wink's book "the Human Being." I used pieces of it in 2004 and find myself returning to his understanding of the biblical image of "the son of Man" as being the truly human one.
Wink uses the story of the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12; Matt. 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26) to give us a look at this "son of Man." It is also the only connection of the title to forgiveness.
According to Matthew... "the son of the man" in this narrative is not limited to Jesus, but indicates any person who "knows" God's will regarding forgiveness, indeed, who knows God's very nature, that God is, at the core, forgiving. this forgiveness is not attained or earned. One does not, as in both Jewish and Christian liturgies, need to repent first before receiving words of absolution. Jesus does not offer forgiveness to those who repent and promise to do works of restitution. He declares people forgiven before they repent, as in this story. There were, in that society, people who were by trade or ill fortune categorically incapable of doing works of restitution (toll collectors, prostitutes, shepherds, attendants at bathhouses, weavers, tanners, robbers), who were regarded as sinners because of their occupations. To these he declares: Your sins are forgiven (Luke 18:9-14)! Now you can repent!... Repentance is possible because God has drawn near in the proclamation of Jesus.
So this forgiveness is up front. It is, in some ways, a clue that the presence of God's Reign is at hand. It is in the shape of Jesus present in the story. And, it is present in the followers of Jesus who let this action in real life - lead the way. This is the kind of humanity that makes for transformation and is not at all coersive. There is no "first you do this and then you will be." Rather this word of forgiveness comes first and it is a power for life that heals and restores and move us all closer and into a deeper relationship with one another for now, there is nothing that separates us from one another. The Human Being is a power for life that helps us all see the possibility of life that is for all of us. It takes a bit of imagination to see ourselves in the shoes of this kind of healing presence. Most often, we think others can heal...others can restore...others must be given the power to be involvedy in such a community-making act. Then again, what is to hold us back from such acts of compassion and community? The community of the followers of Jesus take part in the fullness of the potential of our humanity when we act within the power for life that is given to all of us. It can appear quite frightening when we have never seen ourselves with such a vision...but such transformative life is always out there beyond our edge of comfort.
Connection: Forgiveness - it may seem too easy...it may seem too difficult...and yet, it is a vital part of what it is to be fully human.
Forgiving Lord, it is by your gracious presence in our lives that we are liberated to extend our hand of forgiveness and healing to others. We become the power for new life as we are called forward to act in your name. Praise to you. Amen.
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