Seventh Sunday of the Year : B

"MY SON YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN"

First Reading: Is. 43:18-19,21-22,24b-25
Second Reading: 2 Cor.1:18-22
Gospel Reading: Mk 2:1-12
* First Reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet invites the people of Israel to a new begining from the Babylonian exile. Though such a renewal was extremely difficult for Israelites, due to their shattered and broken lives during exile, the prophet assures them that God is going to give them a fresh demonstration of his love and care. He will blot out all their past sins and he will forgive their sins.

* Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul exhorts the Corinthian community to remain loyal to the word of God that has been given to them. He declares himself to be a man of his word. Paul tells them that he represents Christ who is always faithful.

"Rise, take up your pallet and go home"

In the Gospel today we have the healing of a paralytic. After his tours of towns and villages, Jesus returned to Capernaum and was teaching in a house. Then something dramatic took place. Four men arrived there carrying their paralysed friend. Some of the people tell them that it is not possible to go near Jesus. The crowd did not allow them to get in. But these men were determined. They took the paralytic over the roof and they made an opening and lowered the paralytic at the feet of Jesus. Jesus seeing their faith and concern for their friend, immediately rewarded them. The paralytic is told by Jesus, "Your sins are forgiven; stand up , pick up your mat and go home".
The healing is both internal and external with these words of Jesus. Healing power of God flowed through the paralytic , freeing him of spiritual paralysis as well as bodily weakness. It is a moment of supreme grace. It is now recognised that many of our sins and wrongs do affect us mentally and physically . Hence forgiveness of sins is an essential part of any healing process. Jesus invites us today to experience his healing touch.