Thursday 5th July, 2012
St Anthony Zaccaria. Amos 7:10–17. The judgements of the Lord are true and all of them just—Ps 18(19):8–11. Matthew 9:1–8.

  
Meditation: mp3 | podcast
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‘Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Get up and walk”?’

I wonder whether any of those scribes had an answer to that question. It’s pretty clear that making either statement had never occurred to them. They were bureaucrats and not known for their compassion or interactions with ‘common’ people. Both statements challenge them to see the man as human and in need of compassion rather than someone who is deserving of his ‘punishment’.

While none of them really listened to the real question Jesus was asking them, what about us? When we see someone who challenges our world view, are we too quick to judge and hence dismiss the person, or are we able to look for the truth? Do we give ourselves time to see past external appearances and find a person’s heart?