Jesus forgives sins

Today we will reflect on the Gospel for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, according to the traditional calendar.

Mt 9:1-8

‘He got back in the boat, crossed the water and came to his home town. And suddenly some people brought him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take comfort, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And now some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is being blasphemous.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – then he said to the paralytic-‘get up, pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for having given such authority to human beings.’

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“BEAR IT WITH PATIENCE”

 

“Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and in others.” (Thomas à Kempis)

The effort to improve oneself or help others do so appropriately is never in vain because it is an act of love. Furthermore, every improvement benefits everyone. Yet one easily encounters limits in this process. One should certainly try again and again and not give up in resignation. The latter would be a misguided attitude, focused not on God but on one’s own feelings.

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