In Forgiving Us, Jesus Heals Us

The appointed Gospel for the Church’s daily prayer continues where we left off yesterday; Jesus continues his healing ministry:

 

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ (Mk. 2:1-12).

 

Healing and the forgiveness of sins go together hand in hand.  It is our sins that paralyze us.  Once our sins are forgiven, then we are able not only to walk but to run.  In forgiving us, Jesus heals us.

 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins, release us from suffering, and restore us to wholeness and strength.  Deliver us from all evil, preserve us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Due to the inclement weather, we have postponed our Annual Meeting to Sunday, 18 January 2015.  We will have an Italian brunch with spaghetti, salad and garlic bread!

  

Annual MLK Prayer Circle at St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Monday, January 19, 2015 12 Noon at 2817 Alfreda Houston Blvd., Galveston, Texas.

                

We will conclude our Adult Christian Education class, Focus on Islam, on Sunday, 15 February 2015, when Dr. Ahmed will speak to us.  All are invited to attend.

 

ESL continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm in Sutton Hall.

 

Al-Alon in Spanish meets on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in Sutton Hall.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are ill and recovering.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550