Luke 5:17 – 26 A Paralyzed Man Cured, Part II

Luke 5:17 – 26 A Paralyzed Man Cured, Part II

Then comes the second key part of this passage. Jesus in performing the miracle says “My friend, your sins are forgiven”, not “Get up and walk.” This causes great consternation among the scribes and the Pharisees. Surely only God can forgive sins! Why does Jesus choose those words? Is it precisely to make that connection and reveal himself as the son of God? And why does he forgive the man’s sins? Are they the cause of his paralysis? That flies in the face of all I know about medical science and all I think I know about the way God operates. On the other hand, I do believe that our sinfulness does “weigh” us down, does sap our energy and even may make us feel hopeless and perhaps even paralyzed (in a sense). Seeking God’s forgiveness - for example in the sacrament of reconciliation - can revitalize our spirits, relieve our minds and give us new energy for the road ahead. Note to self: This makes me thing that God is trying to tell me that talk is cheap and that I should experience the benefits of confession myself.