And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.  And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."  Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."  But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?  For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he then said to the paralytic--" Stand up, take your bed and go to your home."  And he stood up and went to his home.  When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

Who among us doesn't need to hear these words from Jesus, "Be of good heart, take courage, for your sins are forgiven?"  Jesus alone has what we need.  The world cannot give it, others cannot give it, we cannot give it to ourselves.  We might imagine at the moment the paralytic heard these words the paralysis of fear and discouragement that had sized his heart suddenly left him, Christ's light rushed in and interior liberation was given him.  He would not trade it for anything.

The friends of the paralytic made the courageous and hopeful journey to Jesus for healing and forgiveness.  The scribes came to him to find fault and to judge him.  The source of forgiveness and mercy was standing incarnate before them yet they could only think evil of him.  Why?  They were obviously in the habit of judging others already, this was just a continuation of that behavior.  Perhaps they were jealous of the following Jesus had.  They wanted that power and influence over people.  But people found no love in them, no mercy.  Jesus is merciful to them too.  "So that you may know I have authority to forgive sins I will do what you perceive to be a greater deed," even though the greater deed had already been done.  Jesus is a merciful, patient teacher even to those who condemn him.  I wonder if any hearts were changed among the scribes.  We can hope so.