Thursday of week 13 in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8
In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals the paralytic, but before restoring his body, He first says, “Take courage, my son; your sins are forgiven.” The scribes immediately recognize the significance of these words, for only God can forgive sins. To reveal His divine identity, Jesus performs the visible miracle of healing, proving that He possesses the invisible authority to forgive. The physical healing becomes a sign of an even greater reality: Jesus is God, who has come to restore the whole person. He heals not only wounded bodies but also wounded hearts, burdened consciences, and broken relationships with God. Sin is the deepest paralysis of the human soul, and forgiveness is its greatest liberation. By forgiving and healing, Jesus reveals the heart of God, who desires not merely to relieve our suffering but to restore us completely. Every encounter with Christ is therefore an invitation to experience both His mercy and His power. The same Lord who forgave the paralytic continues to forgive us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and strengthen us with His healing grace. The Gospel invites us to approach Jesus with confidence, believing that the One who stands before us is not only a compassionate man but the Son of God, who alone has the power to forgive sins, heal every wound, and make all things new. Let’s reflect: Do I truly believe that Jesus is God, who alone has the power to forgive my sins and heal every wound of my life, and do I approach Him with the trust to let Him restore me completely?
Don Giorgio