Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel 8:4-7.10-22a; Mark 2:1-12)
Jesus’ question in today’s gospel is hard to appreciate. Of course, it is easier to say “Your sins are
forgiven” when no one can see the forgiveness taking effect. But this is not what Jesus means by the
question. Rather, he wants the people to
consider which will cost him more – to bring about the forgiveness of sin or to
heal physical maladies?
Achieving the forgiveness of sins will cost Jesus his
life. He will be crucified as a human sacrifice
to the Father so that the sins of the world may be forgiven. Those who repent of their sins can walk free
of guilt with Jesus enduring their due punishment.
We might ask ourselves a question like the one Jesus
proposes. When we are offended, is it better
for us to forgive our offender or to do something good for her or him? It seems more efficacious for us to help the
person than to dispense an unrequested pardon.
In this way the offender might be moved by our generosity to acknowledge
his or her guilt. Then we can forgive
the offense and achieve the desired reconciliation.
