The Feast of the First Martyrs of the Roman Church.

ONE OF THE MOST CONSOLING THOUGHTS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY IS THIS: ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR GOD. ALL THINGS ARE SIMPLE FOR GOD. TODAY'S GOSPEL ILLUSTRATES THIS.

"After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men."   (Matthew 9:  1 - 9).

Thursday 30th June 2022, in the 13th Week of Ordinary Time is the
feast of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church. In 64 AD, before the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome, the vicious Emperor Nero set Rome on fire. To escape the wrath of the Roman people, he blamed the Christians. Then he ordered all Christians arrested and be put to death. We celebrate today the witness of the multitude of Christians who demonstrated astonishing courage to perish for faith in Jesus Christ. This event happened so early in Christian era in the persecution of Emperor Nero. Many who witnessed the courage of the martyrs became Christians. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity." (Tertulian).

Jesus was ministering in a room packed with people.  The friends of the paralytic man lowered him from the roof and dropped him in front of Jesus.  Their action is the "faith" that Jesus saw.  So we can see faith.
The bigger theme of the Gospel of today is the sin of the paralyzed man.  Since Jesus came to suffer and die for sin, He dealt first with the root and source of illness.  “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9: 2).  Jesus was immediately attacked for forgiving the man's sins. “This man is blaspheming.” (Matthew 9: 3).

The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world knows more than anyone the intricate connection between Sin, Suffering and Salvation.  He proves it:
"Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”  (Matthew 9: 5 - 6). For God all things are possible. All things are easy.

"Lord, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son."  (Psalm Prayer, Lauds).

6. 30.  Today is the end of the month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com