First Reading: Amos 7:10-17; Psalm: 19. R. v. 10b; Gospel: Mt 9:1-8

GOD OUR HEALER

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The healing of the paralytic in the gospel of today was an encounter that left the entire crowd dumfounded. By this healing Christ did not only prove himself a miracle worker but also God. It was a strong belief for the Jews that whosoever is suffering from a sickness is suffering because s/he has sinned. So sickness for them was a way through which God punished a sinner. And if the sickness must be cured, then the sins of the sick person should first be forgiven. Ultimately for the Jews, no one forgives sins except God.

When the paralytic was brought to Jesus, Jesus healed him according to the belief of the Jews. Since forgiveness of sin was a prerequisite for healing a sick person, Jesus said to the paralytic “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9:2). For the scribes, this was blasphemy for only God can forgive sins. So, the only way Jesus can prove that he is God was by healing this paralytic since healing is not possible except it is preceded by forgiveness of sins. And only God can forgive sins. Jesus then said to the paralytic “Rise, take up your bed and go home” (Mt 9:6). And when the paralytic was cured, they were all astonished.

By this healing Jesus showed his Godhead and further revealed himself as our divine healer. It is in Jesus that we receive both spiritual and bodily healing. On the part of the scribes who considered Jesus a blasphemer, we learn not to criticise people hastily and blindly when we have only seen a glimpse of them. There are some of us who are very quick to criticise what we perceive as error while listening or observing people but only to discover later that we were so ignorant not to have waited patiently to see or hear the whole argument. Sketchy knowledge is very weak to reach an informed conclusion. If things appear strange or untrue to us, we can patiently observe more. Time will tell the veracity or mendacity of that misty reality.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from blind argument. Amen.