4 July, 2024 | Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading : Am 7:10-17

Gospel Mt 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.

And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,

"Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."

At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,

"This man is blaspheming."

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,

"Why do you harbor evil thoughts?

Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'

or to say, 'Rise and walk'?

But that you may know that the Son of Man

has authority on earth to forgive sins"–

he then said to the paralytic,

"Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He rose and went home.

When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe

and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Reflection:

A person's sspirit  becomes crippled because of sin. It blurs one's eyes not to see and covers one's ears not to listen to  God's voice. Then we become  weak because we carry the loads of burdens which sometimes are not our own.

The Gospel for today reminds us to rise and walk away from our dark rooms. It leads us to a path towards eternity. May the healing power and love of Jesus touch our innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories and be transformed in his truth and goodness.

Activity: 

Complete one hour of prayer today.