He thinks he forgives sins?

After Luke 5:17-26 

The questions, the grumbles

start immediately. Who is

this blasphemer who thinks

her can forgives sins? This

is outrageous, I don’t care

how many paralytics he

heals. Only God can forgive

sins!

 

He hears the murmurs,

he reads the thoughts.

He speaks. So that

the world knows that

he holds the power

to forgive, that power

of God, he tells the man,

the paralytic, to rise

and take his bed home.

And the man rises,

the man picks up his bed,

the man walks home.

 

And they were awed.

And they were amazed.

 

Painting: Christ and the Pharisees, Cathedral of Tours, France.

Some Friday Readings

 

Christianity Under the Progressive Gaze – Kyle Borg at Gentle Reformation.

 

“Supernatural Love,” poem by Gjertrud Schnackenberg – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

“Lead On, O King Eternal,” hymn by Ernest Shurtleff – Anthony Esolen at Word & Song.

 

On Naming the Dead – Andrew Roycroft at New Grub Street.