The power to forgive sins

Today’s Gospel (Matthew 9:1-8) emphasises Jesus power to forgive sins. Fr Paul says that towards the end of the Gospel, those who have witnessed the events are filled with awe at what happened and praise God for giving such power to forgive sins to men, to us, not just Jesus.

This Gospel is not just a reminder of the power of Jesus Matthew also reminds us that the forgiveness of sins will be handed on to Peter and the church.  In Matthew chapters 16 and 18 we hear the words ‘whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven’.

This Gospel is also a reminder to us of the power of forgiveness through our healing sacrament of Reconciliation.

Fr Paul says mindful of the power of Jesus and of the forgiveness of sins, let’s reflect on our own lives – what faults and failings come to mind? We might pray the Confiteor prayer and ask for the forgiveness of those sins.

You may like to take advantage in the days and weeks ahead of attending Reconciliation, which is still being conducted between 11.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays (phone the Presbytery on 6583 1024 to book in the same way as for our Masses).

The Confiteor
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.