”FORGIVENESS
«Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you’ (Matthew 9:2)
The tension experienced in recent years has affected Gracia’s health to the point of having her whole body compromised. Intense pains affected her limbs, and a series of lumps appeared in different parts of her body. Her pain was worsened by remorse because she considered her afflictions a result of her past mistakes. She never dared to reach out to the church because she was treated with mistrust and coldness. The need for relief from the physical and mental suffering was insignificant compared to the need of divine acceptance and forgiveness. If she only listened to heaven’s approval! She was craving for the peace of forgiveness.
The same necessity was experienced by the paralytic from Capernaum when he was brought by his friends to the Savior. In those times, illness was considered proof of divine punishment for the sins, thus the sick people were»abandoned to the wrath of God. » Such cruel beliefs expressed by some people!!
And what a contradiction to the Son of God!
It is interesting to note that the paralytic wanted to get to the place where Jesus was, but some people stopped him from doing so. Fortunately, with the help of some friends, he was lowered down through the roof of a house in a stretcher. And like a sublime music, he heard the sweet voice, «Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.»
«The One who knows the deepest thoughts reads the sufferer’s heart and brings him hope through forgiveness. He also reads the thoughts of those who interpreted such offer of forgiveness as blasphemy. Then to help them overcome their concerns, He later gave evidence of His healing power. And He said, » ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house’. And he arose and departed to his house» (vv. 4-7).
Spiritual healing from sin is a necessity that involves all mankind: the ones who suffer the most are not the most sinful; the clergy does not have the authority to forgive. The One who reads the hearts of them both wishes to encourage everyone to seek forgiveness. Without showing favoritism and with compassion and *race, He will repeat the same words, «Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Alejandra Zavala & Magda Sanz
