The Paralytic Who Was Lowered Through The Roof

A midrash on before she arrived

Once upon a time there was a woman who had four sons. Her arthritis was so bad, she could not walk. In fact she could barely move her arms and legs. Once, this had caused her a lot of pain, but now the joints were fixed, and it was just inconvenient.

“Did you hear? Jesus of Nazareth has come,” she said to her eldest as he washed her face and helped get her ready for the day. “I want you to take me to him.”

“Mom, there will be such a crowd. There is no way,” he said.

“Take me to see Jesus,” she said to her second son, as he spooned gruel into her mouth.

“What? Shall we make a spectacle of ourselves, carrying you through town?” he said, shaking his head. “It is undignified.”

“Take me to see Jesus,” she said to her third son, as he settled her in her chair by the door.

“What good do you think it will do?” he asked, squatting at her side.

“I do not know. I do not know, I do not know. It doesn’t matter if it does any good.” she said.

“Benjamin, take me to see Jesus,” she said to her fourth son. “Or I will find a way to throw myself into the fire.”

“Okay Mom, okay,” he said, and rounded up his brothers.

Photo: Richard Strake