MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT DECEMBER 6, 2021

James Tissot (French 1836-1902)

MASS READINGS

A Gospel according to Lk 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? 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 said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

REFLECTION:

"But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” he said to the one paralyzed , “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

But the scribes and the Pharisees were shocked at hearing that Jesus was forgiving sins. Only God forgave sins!!

Which is easier: “Your sins are forgiven“ or ”Rise and walk”?

No one can tell if your sins are forgiven. The harder thing is to say, “Rise and walk”, because the result or lack of result is easy to see.

So, as a sign that He has the power on earth to forgive sins, Jesus heals the paralyzed man. Now they can see that Jesus can heal and forgive sins.

Do we experience God‘s healing in the confessional as we repent with contrition and hear the words of absolution?

Thought for the day: The Lord is coming. Wait expectantly for His loving gaze. Expect with hope that He will transform us. God’s grace is always available for us.

God bless you.