March 10, 2014
The Healing of a Paralytic
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 9, 1 – 8:
Jesus entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 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 stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given since authority to human beings.
Although I get a little pension, it is not enough to pay for all my needs. I am now at the end of healing oil in my tank and I need more than $500 to fill it. So if anyone can help me out, I would be very happy indeed. I also have to pay the insurance for my van this week and it costs $350 and that is another bill that gives me headache. So if you can help me I surely will thank the Lord for you.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words, “I call upon you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters to believe that I am the Son of God and that I have the power to forgive sins. It was because I had this power that I gave it to the Apostles and all those who are ordained have this power from Me. I showed the Jews that I had this power by telling a paralytic these words, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” Some of the Jews did not believe I had the power to do that. So to show them the power I had, I told them these words, “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? Then I said to the paralytic these words, ‘Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’ Then the paralytic got up and went home. With this miracle I showed the people that I have the power to forgive sins and many believed it after they saw what I had done. This miracle is also for all those who read the Bible so that they too may come to believe that I am the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, and I have to power to forgive sins.
So My dear friends, never doubt that I have this power and never doubt that all priests have this same power which comes from their ordination by a Bishop. This sacrament of Reconciliation shows My great love for all of you. It shows that I am always ready to forgive you if you repent of your sins. I atoned for all your sins by My Passion and Death on the Cross. So do not be afraid to confess your sins to a priest and to accept his absolution from your sins. I love you all.”
Father Melvin