forgiveness in Matthew’s Gospel

The Gospel According to Matthew 9:1–8 (NABRE) centers on the topic of forgiveness. Jesus equates forgiving a paralytic’s sins and healing his paralysis. The English language uses forgiveness in a few contexts. We can pardon or exonerate someone who has wronged us, or we can excuse a loan or a debt. In what way do you think it is that might these meanings equate to healing?

The Greek word for forgiveness is ἄφεσις (aphesis), which derives from a verb that means “to send forth” or “to discharge.” In Greek thought forgiveness is casting sin out. This Greek view is instructive in understanding this passage from the Gospel According to Matthew. By casting the sin out of and away from the paralytic, Jesus can be seen actually to remove something harmful. Forgiveness in this sense is far more than accepting something wrong. It is, rather, casting out the cause of that wrong and sending it away.

What things in your life that are in danger of causing wrong would you like to cast out and send away?

related topics: condemn; forgiveness; healing; sin

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Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels, a 26-lesson Catholic Bible study with an imprimatur, looks at the biblical foundations of the Rosary. The study includes lessons on Pope St. John Paul II’s Rosarium Virginis Mariae (Rosary of the Virgin Mary), the Apostles’ Creed, and the Luminous Mysteries as well as the original 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. Color photographs of stained glass windows depict key scenes in the lives of Jesus and Mary. In lieu of a sample, check out our free digital lessons.

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