Pick Up Your Mat

The gospel reading from mass on Tuesday (Jn 5:1-16) tells us how Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed. Jesus said to the man, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” I find myself wondering why Jesus told him to take up his mat. If he could now walk, why did he still need the mat? Why not leave it behind for the use of some other stricken person who was languishing by the Bethesda pool with the hope of being healed?

Perhaps this instruction by Jesus was a sign that the act of healing still requires work on our part. We need to integrate life as it was before being healed with life after being healed. Sometimes we have visible scars from our healing, or weakened muscles, or an ability to trust that is still tender. Or perhaps the mat was to be an ever-present sign to remember how life used to be and thus give continual thanks to God. At any rate, by carrying the mat, the man was seen as working and thus breaking the Sabbath law. Apparently, healing—even that provided by Jesus—requires work. Although grace is a cause for rejoicing, it appears that this gift does not release us from the requirement to roll up our work sleeves!