Psalms 105:1-22 * 105:23-45; Zechariah 4:1-14; Ephesians 4:17-32; Matthew 9:1-8Many things can "freeze us up," make us stay in place. Fear can do that to us. Self doubt can make roots grow down into the ground around us inhibiting our progress. Remembrance of things we have done and, perhaps, left undone can cause us to become immoveable.
I wonder if we can understand the miracle story in our Gospel reading today with that understanding of the paralytic individual Jesus heals. What if it wasn't a physical issue causing this person to be frozen but instead caused by the individual's own self doubt, fear and remembrance of transgressions left unresolved, unforgiven? What if the miracle we are presented with today is to remind us that no matter how great a sin we may be guilty of, there is forgiveness readily available to us. That forgiveness can serve to unfreeze us, allowing us to live into and be a part of this kingdom Jesus creates.
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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
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