You Are Forgiven, Your Sins Forgotten

“ Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

First Reading: 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25

Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise. Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, for you grew weary of me, O Israel. You did not buy me sweet cane for money, nor fill me with the fat of your sacrifices; Instead, you burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes. It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms: 41:2-3, 5-5, 13-14

Second Reading: Cor. 1:18-22

As God is faithful,  our word to you is not "yes" and "no." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

Gospel: 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 the paralytic, "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."

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.”(Is 43:25) “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “”Child, your sins are forgiven.”” (Mk 2:5) Many times, I had some serious and many petty quarrels leading to misunderstanding and even hurting words. And I would confess, most of them though forgiven are not forgotten. I find it easy for me to forgive but not to forget. But in Is 43:25, the Lord says He wipes our sins and remembers it no more. Simply said, the Lord God forgives and forgets our sins. Only God alone has this power. That is why when some of the scribes heard Jesus said He forgives the sins of the paralytic, they said He was blaspheming.

As I reflect on this passage of Mark 2:1-12, I am amazed on the love and faith of the four men who carried the paralytic, passing through the thick crowds. And when they cannot enter the door for there were too many people in the house, they climbed up the roof top and tore open the roof so they can lower down their paralytic friend near Jesus.  Even Jesus was awed by these men’s faith! Thus, He has revealed to them who He really was, that He was God, by forgiving the sins of the paralytic, and I bet including those four friends.

Prayer

Lord Heavenly God, we ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. We also ask You to give us the courage and the strength to be able to bring to You our friends and family members who are paralyzed by sin. We know that You are a loving and forgiving God and Your mercies last forever. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.

Action

                        

Bring a friend to church especially those who had been paralyzed by sins or concerns of this world. Try to also bring to church those who are actually physically challenged and unable to join the Eucharistic celebration.