From today’s Scripture: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’”—Mk 2:5

Over and over again in the Scriptures the blind see, the lame walk, the paralyzed move freely, the dead are raised. It takes great faith, and so many seem to have that kind of faith.

Faith is a gift. It is also a power that allows us to grasp unseen realities and follow through with a commitment that overcomes human weaknesses and sin. It is the faith of the four men (his community) who brought him, who prepared the paralytic to be freed from his paralysis (sin). “Your sins are forgiven….Pick up your mat and walk.”

This story is lived over and over in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Friends encourage their friend to come for healing after years of psychological paralysis from sin. But when the person leaves it often seems like a heavy weight is lifted from his or her shoulders. Peace comes again.

Let us pray: Father, let me experience the love of Christ as my sins are forgiven. I humbly beg you to hear the freeing words of Jesus, “Child, your sins are forgiven”.

Today’s author is Father Wil Steinbacher. He has served as pastor of a number of Glenmary missions, in prison ministry, as director of the Glenmary Research Center, and in Glenmary administration.

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