Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 6th July 2023

Forgiveness lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. At the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel told Mary that her divine Son would be called Jesus, because “the Lord will save his people from their sins.” (Lk 1: 31) Throughout the Gospel, Jesus assures those he heals that he also forgives them their sins, as we will see in today’s Gospel passage. In the Lord’s prayer he teaches his disciples to pray, “forgive us as we forgive,” and he constantly reminds them of the meaning of that prayer.

 

​Today we keep the feast of the Virgin Martyr St Maria Goretti, who was killed for protecting her virginity and refusing the advances of a 20-year-old farm hand, Alessandro Serenelli. She was not yet twelve years’ old. At her canonization by Pope Pius XII in 1950, her murderer sat beside her mother, reconciled in the love of Jesus and through the prayers of Santa Maria.

 

​Our Gospel is the beautiful account of healing of a paralytic, (Mt 9: 1-8).

“Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.” Jesus heals the paralytic, moved by the faith of his family and friends, who brought him to Jesus. However, Jesus says to the man, “Courage, my son, your sins are forgiven.” This talk of forgiveness causes a group of scribes to think that Jesus is blaspheming. Jesus can see deep into their hearts and knows what they are thinking, so he replies by asking which is easier, to say that the man’s sins are forgiven or that he should pick up his bed and walk? To prove that he has authority to forgive sin, Jesus orders the man to pick up his bed and go home. The people are awestruck and praise God for giving such power to men. Let us never be afraid of bringing ourselves before Jesus for healing and forgiveness.