Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Child, your sins are forgiven.”

Gospel Reading: Mark 2:1-12

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 him, “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.”

What obstacles are preventing you from getting to Christ?  What do you need to overcome to stand in the presence of God?  In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is visited by the paralytic man. The reading tells us that Jesus was busy preaching to a large crowd and there was no more room, “not even around the door.” Four men carrying the paralytic man “opened up the roof above him” and “let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” Because of their deep faith and commitment to encounter Christ, Jesus said to the man, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus healed the man of his greatest affliction; he forgave the man of his sins. The scribes were not happy with Jesus because only God could forgive sins and therefore Jesus was claiming to be God. Jesus sensing what was in their hearts said to the crowd, “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’?” To prove he was the Son of Man, he commanded the paralytic man to walk again. The crowd responded, “We never seen anything like this!” These people witnessed the true healing power of forgiveness. So what was the greater affliction, the man’s sins or being paralyzed? It was obviously his sins. By the faith of the paralyzed man and the four men who brought him, Christ freed this man from his sins. This is the same freedom we can experience after reconciliation. As we remove the sins that afflict our body, our soul becomes free to walk again. The burden of our sins can paralyze us and hold us back. It is difficult and humbling to have a deep and sincere confession. Sometimes we have to tear the roof off our house to expose the sins which keep us from Christ. It is our desire for forgiveness that yields freedom from the sins.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are so kind and merciful.

Your forgiveness heals my soul and my body.

May your love consume and control my life, my body and my soul.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon