Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 4 July 2024
Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday
Amos 7:10-17. Matthew 9:1-8
Authority to humans
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus heals a paralytic by saying, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ This expression could be understood on three levels:
(a) Close relationship with sins and diseases. It was believed in earlier times that our diseases were caused by our sins. Modern psychology also asserts that there is a necessary connection between our body and our negative selves.
(b) Jesus had authority to forgive sins; the authority said to be of God.
(c) Jesus’ words disturb his contemporaries.
The reading invites us to forgive others.
Our unforgiveness ties us to our past. It paralyses our hearts and minds.
Since nobody can hurt us without our permission, let us assume responsibility for our full lives. This responsibility will make us generous in forgiving others.
In the first reading, there is a clash between Amos (prophet) and Amaziah (priest). The narrative authenticates the call of Amos as the prophet. The office of prophet was possible for Amos because of God. Forgiveness requires grace from God.
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Forgiveness is a gift from God and a pre-requisite to obtaining God’s forgiveness. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 139).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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