St. Elizabeth of Portugal, married woman, queen 

 

＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

Gen 22: 1b–19*

 Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he answered, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you.”

Abraham rose early next morning and saddled his donkey and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac.(…..) On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance, and he said to the young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He carried in his hand the fire and the knife.  As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke to Abraham, his father, “Father! And Abraham replied, “Yes, my son?” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham replied, “God himself will provide the lamb for the sacrifice.”

They went on, the two of them together, until they came to the place to which God had directed them. When Abraham had built the altar and set the wood on it, he bound his son Isaac and laid him on the wood placed on the altar. He then stretched out his hand to seize the knife and slay his son.

But the Angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”  “Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him, for now I know that you fear God, and you have not held back from me your only son.”(……)

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

   Mt 9:1–8

Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and came to his hometown. Here they brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic,“Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven.Some teachers of the Law said within themselves,“This man insults God. Jesus was aware of what they were thinking; and said,“Why have you such evil thoughts? Which is easier to say:

‘Your sins are forgiven’or ‘Stand up and walk’? But that you may know, that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. He said to the paralyzed man,“Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home.”The man got up, and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were filled When the crowds saw this,with awe and praised God for giving such power to human beings.

 

Reflection gospel：

“YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.”

Yesterday’s gospel reading is implicit in announcing that God is love embodied in Jesus and that Jesus is the embodiment of this love. In today’s reading, a dimension of the love of God in Jesus is revealed, that is forgiveness. Jesus is not only able to forgive sins, but He is the embodiment, the bringer of the forgiving love of God. He is forgiveness sent to the world, made present in the world.

The reign of God is a condition wherein forgiveness fills the heart of humanity. It is not difficult to see if forgiveness pervades the human community. And we can easily determine its presence or absence; we only have to observe and be attentive. A test of love, kindness and gentleness is forgiveness. It can never be absent in love, kindness and gentleness; it is a function of these three.

The presence of forgiveness heals the deepest of wounds, and its absence inflames the slightest hurt. Forgiveness reconciles; it reconnects. While it breaks human barriers, it also rebuilds and recreates. It brings peace to the mind and heart.