Third Sunday after Creation (G)

Matthew 9:1-8

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. ² And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” ³ And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” ⁴ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵ For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? ⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ⁷ And he rose and went home. ⁸ When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. 

Which is harder to say? Most of the time we get th impression that to tell someone their sins are forgiven is harder to say. You may even get this impression because of how hard it is for you to forgive your brother for his horrifying behavior. But say these words often enough and you realize that it almost rolls off the tongue.

Now try the other words, "Rise and walk." This may not be hard to say to most people, because they can get up from their chair, pew, or bed and walk. But say it to the old lady confined to the wheel chair. Even try to say it to the child who has not yet learned to stand, and tell me which is more difficult to say. Is it easier to remind the old lady her sins are forgiven or help her walk? Is it easier to tell an infant his sins are forgiven or to teach him to use a toilet?

It is easy to say your sins are forgiven, because nothing is expected of me afterward. Christ has provided you with the forgiveness of sins. He has claimed you to be his very own. But he has also created you to be of help to your neighbor. He has created you to take care of your neighbor. You need to help care for this paralytic. This may mean helping him to walk again, or simply serving him with food  and drink.

As we fail to do the easy thing of helping, because we view both of these tasks as impossible, remember what God has done for you. He created you and taught you how to lift yourself up, so you can teach others how He has lifted us all up.