In this week's edition of "There's more in the Gospel than meets the eye," Jill Bevilacqua
and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Seventh Sunday of
the Year. Listen: Gospel Mk
2: 1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known
that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for
them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came
bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because
of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they
let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith,
he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes
were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is
blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus immediately knew in
his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking
such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your
sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?' But that you
may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" -he said
to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose,
picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were
all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."