Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; and Mark 2:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 41 (Psalm 41:2-5, 13-14).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 41 Prayer for Forgiveness and Healing

Today’s Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven."

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" - he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 19, 2012)

Msgr. Charles Pope: Four Mileposts on the Highway to Heaven – A Meditation on the Gospel of the 7th Sunday of the Year (18 FEB 12)

The Quiet Corner: The church’s social mission must involve the ‘whole man' (16 FEB 12)

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio: "Pick up your Mat and Go Home" - Healing of the Paralytic

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for February 19, 2012: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (18 FEB 12)

The Sacred Page: What is Sin and Why Does It Need to Be Forgiven? Thoughts on the Readings of the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (18 FEB 12)

Dr. Scott Hahn: God’s Great ‘Amen’ (February 19th 2012 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The Lectionary: God’s forgiveness allows us to begin a new life (Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time B) (16 FEB 12)

Catholic Spiritual Direction: Going Through the Roof (Mark 2:1-12) (15 FEB 12)

The Word Encountered: Living by Appearances (Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time B)