Dear in Christ Brothers and sisters,

Congratulations with the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, with the day of the memory of the great bishop of the Orthodox Church, the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, as well as with the end of the second week of Great Lent!

Today we read an excerpt from the Gospel according to Mark, in which we heard how our Lord Jesus Christ healed one sick of the palsy (that is, a paralyzed man), who was lowered through the roof to the feet of Christ, Who at that moment was preaching inside a house. It’s interesting that it is as if Christ did not notice that this man was paralyzed; He does not heal him, but instead, absolves his sins. In such a way, Christ creates a dissonance in the scene that is taking place. It was clear to everyone that Christ was a miracle worker, that He could heal the sick and crippled; therefore, most likely no one who was listening to the Lord teach was particularly surprised that an unfortunate man seeking health would have been brought to the Saviour’s feet in such a peculiar manner. What is surprising is that the Saviour does not heal him, but instead forgives his sins. This action of the Lord amazed and scandalized the Jews, for a man, even the most talented preacher and great wonderworker, is not given the authority to absolve sins. Such authority belongs only to God. In answer to such thoughts, our Lord Jesus Christ gives a clear answer, as if saying the following words: Do not be troubled; of course there are miracles that only the Lord God can perform, but remember that you yourselves know well that I perform such miracles. Therefore, I will remind you, I will once again show you, since you are so quick to forget, since your faith is so weak, that I am no simple prophet, but the Incarnate God. Watch how I will heal this unfortunate man, how I grant him living strength not only to get up and walk, but also to gather his bed and carry it home, and remain convinced by this wonder that I have the authority to forgive sins!

Dear brothers and sisters, it is important for us to keep this wonderful Gospel reading in mind throughout our daily lives. We live in a time when it seems that very few wonderful and miraculous things transpire. It is more likely that we see not miracles, not the workings of the grace of God amongst people, but the works of evil perpetrated by men. How wonderful it would be to see some kind of sign that would justify Christians in the eyes of the powerful of this world. Today’s Gospel excerpt refutes such thoughts. Let’s try not to be like the scribes in today’s reading, who required a tangible sign, but instead, let’s be content with the miracles that the Lord manifests through His grace amongst us weekly. Of what do I speak here? Of course, of the Mysteries of the Church and especially of the mystery of repentance and the Holy Liturgy. There can be nothing more wonderful than that the Lord forgives our sins and once again makes our souls pure, and even more than that, we have the possibility of joining ourselves to Him through Communion. And we have such an opportunity every week! When we begin to fall into despondency and lose hope, let’s try to remember today’s Gospel narrative. Also, let’s remember the readiness of our Saviour to forgive our sins, and if we have not yet done so, let’s make haste to repent during the period of Lent, so as to worthily meet the bright resurrection of Christ.

priest Alexis