+ There is a saying in the money world: “The numbers don’t lie.”
In the biblical world it applies but in a different way. Even in the world of teachers and parents and perhaps judges, numbers matter, especially when it comes to warnings: “I’ve told you twice now, and I better not have to mention it a third time.”
Numbers matter! And so, we hear it not once and not twice, but five times in Hebrews that they either did or did not “enter into my rest.”
And just what might that “rest” mean?
Jews certainly understood that rest as the Promised Land that they journeyed toward for a long time. We all understand that “rest” as something even more eternal — resting in the Lord, resting with the Lord.
But the very simple yet profound meaning is connected a sixth time in this reading as connecting with God resting on the seventh day from all of his creative works.
This is biblical numerology, again at its best, giving deep meaning and hope.
Such was the hope of a poorly afflicted paralytic man whose hope was ignited by the revelation that Jesus was nearby.
Summoning up the help of family and friends, they carried him on a mat, only to find when they got to the house where he was at, that even the doorways were jammed with people; entering the house was not an option.
And so, the paralyzed man could speak, and speak he did.
“Take me to the roof and drop me through it to the floor right in front of that man!” And drop him down they did — right in front of that man, Jesus.
Then the amazing encounter and the amazing words were heard: “Your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus went to the deepest healing, the deepest teaching, the deepest challenge for all.
Sin was seen, especially among the Jews, as the root cause of all evil.
To be released from sin and its power was to begin the deepest process of peace. But, “only God can forgive sins,” was the reply of some of the scribes present.
Jesus used this occasion for a double healing: the healing from the paralysis of sin and the healing of paralysis of the body.
And once again, to be sure, all were amazed. Although the Gospel doesn’t go into this kind of detail, some would say that the once paralyzed man did not walk home, nor did he run, but rather, he danced all the way home!
Clearly, the verse before the Gospel once again names it so well: “God has visited his people.”
And we all recognize and clearly state that that time of Jesus on earth was a distinct visitation of God through that man, Jesus.
But we also recognize and state that that encounter with the Lord is a daily affair with us, in us, through us, for us, and for all — and always!
Are we ready to go through the roof, be forgiven, given back the dance, and simply be amazed again and again and again?
This, indeed, is “Entering into his rest!”
And we can clearly proclaim at the very least two things: “The numbers do not!”; and further, “Let the dance begin!”
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
