1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Child, your sins are forgiven. 

Picture yourself in the crowd that day. You’ve heard about Jesus’ ability to work miracles—and now here he is. You make your way through the crowd to Jesus’ house and somehow find a spot just inside the door. You see a man totally paralyzed being lowered through the roof. And then a few minutes later he walks out on his own. It’s an event you will never forget.

But you might not remember Jesus’ first words to the man: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). After all, the sight of him getting up and walking could easily make you forget how utterly astounding Jesus’ words were.

As amazing as any physical healing is, being delivered from sin is a much bigger miracle. By forgiving this man’s sins, Jesus revealed that he himself is God, because only God can forgive sins. And when Jesus forgives our sins, he releases us from the bondage and “paralysis” that sin creates in our lives. He sets us free and opens our hearts to know the love of our God.

That’s the grace we have access to through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But there may be times when we lose sight of that grace. Confession can seem like a relatively mundane event. Maybe even a bit routine. You go into the confessional, admit your sins, and say the Act of Contrition. You might start to wonder if anything is really happening.

But don’t lose sight of what occurs during the sacrament: Jesus is there in the person of the priest, not only forgiving your sins—which would be miracle enough—but also beginning to heal your soul from the effects of sin. He says to you, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more” (John 8:11). His healing words help you get up and move forward. Every Confession is an outpouring of God’s mercy that restores you and frees you to walk in his grace and love.

You may not feel any different when you leave the confessional. But each time, like the man healed from paralysis, you can receive the miracle of freedom from sin and its effects. So take to heart Jesus’ words to you: “Child, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5)!

“Lord, thank you for your great mercy! Help me to never take it for granted.”

1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22
Psalm 89:16-19
Mark 2:1-12