"MY CHILD, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN."When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that He was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and He preached the word to them.
They came bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above Him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
Jesus immediately knew in His mind what they were thinking to themselves, so He said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth,” He said to the paralytic, “I say to you: rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
We are continuously afflicted by so many forms of illness and weakness in all aspects of our existence. We are in dire need of a “comprehensive salvation” which can come only from God. And He does send such a “total salvation” in the person of Jesus Christ who heals us from all our ailments and sets us free from all impediments.
In fulfilling His mission, Jesus starts from the very core of our weakness and handicaps – our sinfulness. Once our souls and our hearts are healed, all the remaining aspects of our life fall into place and we feel strong enough to face the difficulties of life. We can dream again of becoming better and happier persons and even help others do the same.
In fulfilling His mission, Jesus starts from the very core of our weakness and handicaps – our sinfulness. Once our souls and our hearts are healed, all the remaining aspects of our life fall into place and we feel strong enough to face the difficulties of life. We can dream again of becoming better and happier persons and even help others do the same.
Euchalette, 22 February 2009
WORD AND LIFE PUBLICATIONS
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