And having returned to Capernaum, several days later, it was heard that he was at home. And many gathered,  so that there was no longer any room not even near the door and he spoke the word to them. 

And some came to him, bearing a lame man, carried by four people.  And not being able to bring him to him, because of the crowd, they removed the roof where he was, and after having dug it out, they lowered the mat on which the lame man was lying. 

And Jesus seeing their faith, said to the lame man: ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’

There were certain scholars sitting there and questioning in their hearts: ‘Why does this man speak this way? He blasphemes. Who can forgive sins except God alone?’ 

And immediately when Jesus knew in his spirit that they were questioning in themselves, he said: ‘Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the lame man “Your sins are forgiven” or to say “Get up, and take your mat and walk?”  So that you know the Son of Man has authority  to forgive sins on the earth’ – he said to the lame man-  ‘I say to you, get up, take the mat, go off to your house. ‘

And he got up, and immediately took his mat, left in front of everyone , so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying ‘Never have we seen such a thing.’

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve thee as thou deservest;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do thy will,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

St Ignatius