July 4, 2013, Gospel

Matthew 9:1-8

1 He got back in the boat, crossed the water and came to his home town.

2 And suddenly some people brought him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take comfort, my child, your sins are forgiven.’

3 And now some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is being blasphemous.’

4 Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts?

5 Now, which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”?

6 But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ — then he said to the paralytic-‘get up, pick up your bed and go off home.’

7 And the man got up and went home.

8 A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for having given such authority to human beings.