REFLECTIONS TODAY

By saying that the sins of the paralytic are forgiven, Jesus proclaims that spiritual healing goes with and is even more important than physical healing. He shows himself capable of both. Many Catholic shrines display signs of physical healing, the most impressive of them are the crutches left behind by people who have benefited from God’s grace. Still, the presence of confessionals and the regular schedule of confessions in these shrines remind us of a deeper need which we must address: spiritual healing. We need to be cleansed of the toxins of sin. We need to be nurtured by Jesus who is the Bread of Life. An ancient Latin dictum summarizes the ideal of cultivating both mind and body: Mens sana in corpore sano — a healthy mind in a healthy body. As Christians, we should also say, “A healthy soul in a healthy body.”

Gospel • Matthew 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. Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022.” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).