Can only God forgive sin? Sunday Readings B 7 (Y-not question the Sunday Readings)

by Jerome , Saturday, February 18, 2012, 14:19 (458 days ago) @ Ynot

Thank you Tony for a great reflection

I wonder could we say that the underlying message of Mark's narrative here is that every son of man has power on earth (here and now) to forgive sin and give the healing that comes from that release. What a way to live, liberating those we love, instead of heaping guilt on them and binding them with reminders of how they 'always' miss the target.

Francis thank you, especially for:

Learning to see and perceive and act with compassion rather than self-interest remains at the heart of following Jesus… and it is way out of our paralysis.

Cathy thank you, especially for:

Jesus allowed his ministry to be shaped primarily by the people he encountered.

Sue, thank you for the ‘miracle cures’ information. It reminded me of something I read about Lourdes. Apparently the healing success rate that occurs there is about 1 in 3 million.

For what it is worth here follows my reflection:
The gospel story reminds me of the logo that the St Vincent De Paul Society uses in Australia

There are 3 hands. They represent those who seek help, those who try to help, and the blessing, sanctifying presence of God in Christ.
It seems to me that the gospel story is telling that as a community we must help and support each other in solidarity and with compassion. There are no winners and losers in such a community. It is a community in harmony, because it recognises that the common good is more important than the individual desires.

Being human our lives are littered with mistakes, but that is how we gain the experience to build our future.
In our solidarity with others we seem to gain power and strength to live a life of hope.
And the Creator spirit is right there in the thick of it.
Spiritual healing comes before physical healing.

‘She’ll be right mate’
‘Forgiveness is when you no longer need to punish or hate.’
“Forgiveness is not just an occasional act: it is a permanent attitude.” Martin Luther King Jr.