In our gospel passage today Jesus demonstrates that he is no ordinary preacher, teacher or rabbi. Everything he does is with certain, sure and unmistakable authority! His authority comes from his Father! His authority is at once most powerful and yet most gentle and compassionate.
Jesus does two interrelated but separate things in the passage to show that he is also God: he cures the man, but he also forgives his sin! It is true: only God can forgive sin (as the scribes affirmed) – and Jesus is God: but they cannot see him as such, and so they criticize him!
We must believe that Jesus can do these same two things for us: he can cure us and others of what we need curing (if it is his will) – and he can forgive our sins (which is always his will). The only requirement on our part is FAITH: faith that believes that the supernatural dimension of being human is the most important dimension; faith that believes that our loving Father can do amazing things for us, his children, on that over-and-above-the-natural-level of our existence. It is true! He wants to! He can! He does!
When we let God have his loving way with us we can exist in the "sea of God’s peace!" When we want our own way, the sea becomes choppy and our boat flounders! In the first reading from Samuel, the elders insisted on having a king (so that they could be like the other nations). This was not initially God’s will – but after they pestered him – he let them have their way. Unfortunately, the established kingship did not do much for their standing among the nations, and it, in a sense slowed down the progress of their becoming a truly spiritual kingdom that he had in mind all along! The sea remained for them choppy!
Let us remember that a great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people! The prophet is Jesus; the people is us! When we surrender our lives into his care – all is well! All is well!
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