Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
We might be inclined to focus on the story of the paralytic which is a rather impressive story of faith and healing. As I read the reading very carefully, I also realized that there is a theme hidden in the first reading and the gospel reading that can easily get glossed over. The very last sentence of the first reading says, “It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.” (Is 43:25) And then in today’s gospel reading, when the paralytic is lowered down from the roof, Jesus’ first response was “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Are the readings really, then, drawing our attention to the concept of sin? I am inclined to think they are.
The context of the first reading makes this even more obvious. The exile in Babylon, the subsequent return to their homeland, and the construction of the second temple were defining moments in the history of God’s people. This restoration is what Isaiah is referring to in today’s first reading when Isaiah says, “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” (Is 43:18) What is important is that the exile itself was seen as a consequence of sin. Israel had violated her covenant with God by the worship of idols, by making risky political alliances with foreign nations and by gross social injustices in the nation. As God restores them in today’s reading, the restoration is described as the forgiveness of sins. That is why God says, “I will remember your sins no more.” In the gospel reading, the familiar connection between sin and personal misfortune is once again made. The paralytic is first forgiven of his sins before he is healed. But then, the controversy is not about the healing, but rather about who can forgive sins. And Jesus says, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth… “That statement by Jesus brings us a full circle to the last sentence from the first reading, ““It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.”
I would like to offer three practical implications around the theme of sin and forgiveness.
a) Sin is a breakdown of relationships. It is not uncommon for many people even today to look at sin as disobeying God. Also common is the perception of sin as an issue of sexual morality. As long as people find themselves clear of sexual sins and don’t miss Sunday mass people feel pretty good about themselves. Sin, from the biblical perspective is a much broader concept. Sin has to do with a breakdown in relationships - with God, with others, and with ourselves. That is why sin in the Old Testament is conceived as infidelity or unfaithfulness to the Covenant. The Covenant covered the totality of personal, social and religious life. So one could be sexually pure, but if they did not care for widow, orphan and the foreigner in their midst they were in sin. If they took care of the poor but worshipped other God’s or deprived the temple of the first fruits they were still in sin. And of course, their relationship with God and others was expected to come from a sense of integrity and sincerity, otherwise it would only be hypocrisy.
This week it would worthwhile examining our relationships in its totality – with God, with others and with our own selves.
b) On the other hand there is also an effort to define a good life rather loosely. People often say, I do not hurt anybody, or, I do not have to go to church to be a good person. I am sure there are lot of good people who do not go to church or perhaps is not even Christian. And often it is difficult to argue with that. However, Christian life is not a defensive living where each day we survive hoping not to do something negative like not hurting people. Christian life is the pursuit of virtue and good, of God and holiness. If sin is the rupture of our relationship with God, others and self, holiness is seeking to be righteousness in our relationship with God, others and self. This week, let us not only try to be “good people” but Christian people with virtue.
c) God love is greater than our sins. This week, just when I was writing this homily, I had one of the staff call me saying that there was man downstairs who really wanted to see a priest. To be honest, I was a little miffed because, the thoughts were flowing and I knew that with the silent retreat preparations I would not get more time later. I went down anyway and here was somebody to bring before God a long time sin that was bearing down heavy on him. I have never met this man or do I know. Him. In many ways, it was as if the scene in the gospel was being played over all again. Right before this man and me was sin as real as it get. After his confession and seeing his sorrow, I said to him, “God’s love is greater than your greatest sin.” As I gave him absolution, there were tears welling up his eyes. Like the man who was healed of his leprosy, this man went way in peace. Do you remember what God says in today’s reading? God says, “I will remember your sins no more.” Jesus says to the leper, “Child you sins are forgiven.” Sin is a reality, dear people, but so is the forgiveness of God. Nothing beats the love of God.
Fr. Satish Joseph