Authority to forgive

Gospel
Matthew 9:1-8
'Your sins are forgiven; get up and walk'

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.

Reflection
Christ said to the invalid your sin are forgiven. The scribe question his authority. Christ said to show he has authority on earth and heaven he asked the invalid to get up. The main point is Christ has the authority to forgive sin. Today that authority is handed down to priest through confession.We are encourage to go confession as an act of reconciliation. How often do we go confession?

Let us pray
Lord Jesus we know you have the authority to forgive sin. Grant we pray May we always go confession so that all our sin are forgiven.

Amen

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