Feb. 23, 2003

Dear Parishioners:

The ski is falling, well not exactly. Just the roof and what comes down from an opening in the ceiling of a room. What is really the center of attention is Jesus and what he says to the man who looks like a totally crippled person but many people would think evil of him since sin and disease are linked together in their minds.

Into this mind set Jesus brings not only a physical healing but speaks the unthinkable. A person who identified with the poor pronounces forgiveness of sins to the man.

By his action of healing he sets the man free in his total person

This is "awesome".

The word of the scribes is "Blasphemy" or to spell it out, "Who can forgive sins but God alone" We hear this dialogue between Jesus who mind reads the opening statements and the agents of the power people. One writer describes the situation this way:

"Today's episode gets Jesus a big step further into the minefield. Not only is he challenging the scribes' theology, "the Son of Man (some translate 'the human One') has authority on earth to forgive sins," but he is challenging their authority and therefore their social position as well. So the real "blasphemy" is the blow Jesus gives to their pedestal of power!

Think if it this way. Suppose our leaders (especially political) were to adjust their beliefs to fit their social or economic position and then defend it by invoking divinity. The perfect defense of the way things are always involves invoking the divinity. That would be a form of Blasphemy!

The gospel is talking about religious leaders yet the call to be honest comes also to our lives. We too must see that the "common unity" is formed by being challenged by with the same Word of God coming from whatever source.

To hear and follow God’s way that goes beyond our own our challenge. The people said, "We have never seen anything like this!" They "glorified God".

Fr. Bruce Schute