Something New (Isaiah 43:18-19 and Mark 2-1-12)

Remember not the events of the past,
the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43: 18-19

The Gospel for today is about the paralytic who was brought to Jesus by his four friends. In the Gospel, the scribes question Jesus' authority to forgive the man's sins. Only God, after all, can forgive sins. Of course, it was way beyond their capacity to understand that Jesus was God.


I think the First Reading for today is very appropriate for the Gospel. In it God says through Isaiah, "See, I am doing something new!" And indeed Jesus was doing something new: he was forgiving sins. God was doing something new. Instead of sending a prophet, he sent his only son.


But in order to see what's happening, the scribes and people of Israel were called to "remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago, consider not." Only then can they perceive that which is springing forth.


The scribes were all about the events of the past and the things of long ago. God was right before their eyes, forgiving sins, healing the sick. And they failed to perceive him. 


Which just goes to show that these events of the past and things of long ago can really make us miss out on the good things that are right in front of us.