Courage, your sins are forgiven you

Amos 7:10-17, Mt. 9:1-8. Amos, the man from the Southern kingdom of Israel, who used to take care of sheep and sycamore trees, has a difficult task of being a prophet. He spoke many hard and harsh words to the king and people of the Northern kingdom of Israel. Today’s first reading describes his expulsion from the northern capital, the holy city of Bethel because he foretold the end of the kingdom. Amos performed his duty as prophet, not because he wanted to be a prophet nor because he was trained to be a prophet, but was compelled to answer God’s call. Amos prophecy brought healing to the land because his life challenged Amaziah the priest of Bethel.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus proves His Divine authority to heal not only spiritual ailments, but also physical ones. The cure of the paralytic helps us to understand that we need the faith of others to help us when we are in real need. The paralysed man was carried to Jesus by the faith of his friends. Nothing is said about the faith of the paralysed man. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic: “Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven” and then went on to cure his paralysis.

May the Lord renew our strength and grant us His steadfast love! Amen!! Have a wonderful day!!!