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7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24B-25
Psalm 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14
2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Mark 2:1-12
Summary
Jesus is preaching to crowds in Capernaum. It became so crowded,
no one else could fit in, even around the door. Four men, carrying a
paralyzed man, were not deterred. They entered through the roof,
and put the man on his mat before Jesus. Jesus forgave the man his
sins. And in anticipation of the scorn of the scribes, Jesus asks the
scribes, which is more difficult, to say to the paralyzed man he was
forgiven, or to tell him to get up off his mat and leave? Jesus re-
minds them He can forgive sins, then tells the man to get up and go.
And the man rises, picks up his mat, and leaves. All are astounded!
Reflection
Today˅s gospel is about a miracle, but not just healing the paralyzed
man, but also forgiving him of his sins. The first reading, too, is
about the forgiveness of sins. The man wasn˅t rewarded for his faith
by being healed to walk again ˀ when Jesus
saw the faith of this man, he rewarded him by
forgiving his sins.
Jesus teaches us that our spiritual healing,
through His willingness to forgive us, is para-
mount. He wants us to unburden ourselves.
To know the ease with which He forgives is to
know the true love of God.