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Gospel: Matthew 9: 1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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“Take courage, your sins are forgiven.”
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As nice as that sounds – the forgiveness of sins – the scribes don’t seem to care at all. What they see is a man paralyzed, lying on a stretcher!
If Jesus is the miracle worker he claims to be, then why not heal this man’s body?
The scribes see what many do – only that which is physical.
But Jesus sees the entire person. He sees this man’s body, heart, and soul. The day will come when his body – although miraculously healed today – is placed in the earth.
But his soul – freshly purified by Christ – will live forever.
That’s what matters most, which is why Jesus forgives him before he restores his health.
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Christ the Teacher is always taking us deeper. He encourages this man – and all of us today – to focus on healing the deepest part of our selves, not just that which is visible.
Is there any part of me that needs inner healing?
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Let these words of Christ wash over you: “Take courage, your sins are forgiven.”
With a new day comes a new beginning.
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Image credits: (1) QuoteFancy (2) Jesus Heals the Crippled, Youngsung Kim (3) The Abundant Life Center