Here is part of our Old Testament reading, from St Mark: ‘And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven … Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? “But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – ^“I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.”  And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all …’

The Alexandrian, Clement, wrote these words: ‘The physician’s art, according to Democritus, heals the diseases of the body; wisdom frees the soul from its obsessions. But the good Instructor, Wisdom, who is the Word of the Father who assumed human flesh, cares for the whole nature of his creature. The all-sufficient Physician of humanity, the Saviour, heals both body and soul conjointly. “Stand up,” he commanded the paralytic; “take the bed on which you lie, and go home”; and immediately the paralytic received strength’.

Much healing lies in forgiveness – both by ourselves and for ourselves. Our Lord taught us, ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us’. Today, let us take time to follow this injunction; and may God bless you richly in so doing.