Paralytics

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. (Matthew 9:1-8)

Forgiveness enables us to rise from despair we have caused ourselves and the ones we hurt.   When we recite the Lord’s Prayer we ask to be forgiven for our lies and bad behavior.  We also commit to forgiving those who have trespassed against us.  They have trespassed into our hearts and minds to steal our peace, yet we must forgive them, as hard as that can be.

We paralytics find it difficult to rid ourselves of paralysis preventing us from being faithful to the Lord to whom we pray and pledge through the Our Father.  Nevertheless, let's rise and pick up our stretchers.

Deacon David Pierce