Gospel
They glorified God who had given such authority to men.
From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt 9:1-8
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.
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: Forgive me, Blanca. I’ve made you suffer a lot this week because of my pride.
Klaire: I forgive you, Ben. I’ve had the opportunity to offer myself for you. I saw you were very troubled and blinded. But thanks to God, you have returned to the arms of the Father and mine.
Ben: Yes. I have attended confession. It was wonderful. It is true that before confession, it is always a bit difficult to take the step, but how marvelous it is to be forgiven by God! I was overwhelmed at the moment when the priest laid his hands on me and, by the power granted to him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, told me that my sins were forgiven.
Klaire: It is an experience that, if lived with faith, is miraculous.
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…