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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
That Power!
Matthew refers to the forgiveness of sins as a power that God grants to men. Specifically, the Church receives it through the priestlhood. If the Church did not have this power, it would not be the Sacrament of Christ on earth. But it does, indeed! It is! and we also praise God because He has given this power to men. Otherwise… what would become of us?
Applied to Married Life:
Ben: Praise be to God.
Mother,
How much we value the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Without it, what would become of us? Thank you, my God. Thank you, thank you, thank you…