Sin is the worst possible evil. It is worse than any physical disease. As we saw last week, the bible uses many symbols of sin: leprosy, blindness, deafness. Today it is lameness but sin is worse than any of these. We can attain heaven with any physical debility. But we cannot enter heaven if we are in sin, if we have “missed the mark” or if we have failed to live up to the image God has in mind for us. We need to turn back to the Lord, not only in the big things, but in the small. Our first reading compares forgiveness to springs of water bursting forth in the desert. For us this is a reference to baptism. Once we were washed clean. What about now? Are we truly the people God wants us to be? Are we saints? If not, we are lame; we are paralyzed. We need the healing words of Jesus.
Deacon Mike Zatarga

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