Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 43:18-25; Mark 2:1-12

Our Creator is the Good Parent, always willing to forgive our sins. He understands our imperfection and does not hold it against us. She lets go of our history of failure and allows us to make a fresh start. This is the truth that Jesus attempted to share, but not all were willing to hear it. We are like the spoiled child who gets angry that his parents do not punish his siblings severely enough for their transgressions, but does not mind so much when it is his turn to be disciplined. We need to be reminded that forgiveness is a blessing we should rejoice over, whomever is on the receiving end. Naturally, however, the authority figures balked at Jesus' words, so he did a little magic trick to shut them down. It certainly worked, but did it also blind them to his message? What were they so "astounded" at seeing: the truth of forgiveness or the physical healing? Which of these two is grander and more profound? Which do you desire for yourself?

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Mark 2: 1-12

And still more miracles today. Why? Because some in the crowd could not believe Truth with their own ears. So Jesus gave them a little magic show to prove his authority. Perhaps we were still too childish to listen then, but there is no excuse for such attitudes now. Grow up and stop looking for signs. No amount of proof can take you to the Kingdom; only faith and love will do.