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A team of 200 priests comment on daily Gospel

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Liturgical day: Thursday 13th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mt 9,1-8): Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and came to his hometown. Here they brought a paralyzed man to him, lying on a bed... Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and came to his hometown. Here they brought a paralyzed man to him, lying on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic, «Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven». Then some teachers of the Law said to themselves, «This man insults God». Jesus was aware of what they were thinking, and said, «Why have you such evil thoughts? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? You must know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins». He then said to the paralyzed man, «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home». The man got up, and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God for giving such power to human beings.

Illustration: Pau Morales

Today the Master appreciates this gesture of solidarity between friends and the confidence they place on Him. But the Lord surprises them: "Friend, your sins are forgiven." And the paralysis? That is the question! The first and worst paralysis is sin. This is a very dangerous paralysis: it destroys us almost without realizing it.

-Jesus begins with the first. But since God is the Lord over the spirit and the Lord over matter, He can say: "But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. So He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."