THE WORD
1Sm 8,4-7.10-22/Mk 2,1-12 or Is 52,7-10 or Eph 3, 8-12/Jn 1,1-5.9-14.16-18
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home... They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. AFter they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven. Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
IN OTHER WORDS
How do you feel after being forgiven? As for me, I seem to walk on air after celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I feel my burdens lifted and my illnesses and pains healed. I feel clean and whole again and not ashamed anymore to be seen by everyone. It is the same feeling I have when I receive forgiveness from someone whom I have caused pain. Once forgiven, I feel light and there is a smile in my heart. I become positively proud that I have conquered my sinfulness and wrongfulness. I always wish for the feeling not to fade away. I always wish that the experience of wholeness will not be shattered again. After receiving forgiveness I am again ready to rise up and start taking new steps.
On the other hand, unforgiveness causes paralysis. It bothers and haunts my mind and soul day and night. Unforgiveness is very disabling and disempowering. I seem to lose my strength and courage to move on. My mind is bothered by it that I am not able to focus on whatever I need to do. It freezes my mind and heart. The heart is unable to love, unable to off er kindness and compassion. My mind is unable to dictate my will. All power is gone. All understanding is gone. Unforgiveness can even shatter dreams. It could sever relationships and even end life itself.
But there are always people who come into my life to rescue me from this dreadful disease of unforgiveness. They help me reach the point of neediness and utter longing for healing and wholeness. They help me want to be mended. I should not lose my true friends. I must listen to them and allow them to carry me when I am not able to move on. Feeling good, feeling just, feeling right are what I feel that I am forgiven and I am able to bestow forgiveness.
- Fr. Patricio R. delos Reyes Jr., SVD | Liceo del Verbo Divino-Tacloban
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
