February 19, 2012 – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25; Ps 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14; 2 Cor 1:18-22; Mk 2:1-12
God is merciful. He came to Earth in order to suffer and die and then rise from the dead so that we, the sinners whom He loves, could have eternal life. He came because He loves us so much that He desired to take the punishment of our sins upon Himself.
In today’s gospel, Jesus shows his mercy to a suffering paralytic. He forgives him of his sins – healing him spiritually and then healing his physical ailments. The spiritual healing was, by far, the most important, even though it was only after the physical healing that the people recognized Jesus’ power.
Christ offers us his merciful healing and His life of grace in the sacraments. In a particular way, Jesus forgives us of our sins in the sacrament of reconciliation. He is there for us. He pours his mercy upon us, but, like the paralytic, we have to humbly come to Him. We have to be open to receiving that spiritual healing and that new life of grace.
When we do open ourselves to God’s grace and regularly receive the sacraments, He changes our lives. He makes us stronger disciples and equips us to live a life of faith here and now. He draws us ever nearer to Him and helps others to do the same so that, one day, we will all rejoice with Him in the eternal glory of the heavenly kingdom.
