Your Sins are Forgiven

7^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B  

Mark 2:1-12          “My Son, your sins are forgiven.”

February 19, 2012

Jesus has returned to Capernaum. Hearing this, a great crowd of people gathers where Jesus is. Finally, seeing that it is impossible for them to see Jesus, some friends of the paralytic carry the man to the roof, making an opening and lowering the stretcher down where Jesus is. Seeing the faith of the stretcher-bearers, Jesus heals the paralytic right then and there.

Have you noticed Mark’s focal word – the word “open?” The paralytic’s friends “made an opening” in the roof and lowered the stretcher. Jesus “sees their faith.” Now Mark seems to be connecting in the closest possible way the words “open” and “faith”. By their faith in Jesus, both the friends of the paralytic and the paralytic himself open themselves to the miraculous healing power of Jesus. How open are you to the miraculous powers of Jesus?

We now approach the Father and ask for his love:

“HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SON’S FORGIVENESS. ACCEPT OUR GRATITUDE THROUGH YOUR SON OUR LORD. AMEN.”