Wednesday, September 25 : Saint Peter Chrysologus

“He came into his own town, and there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher,” (Mt 9:1-2). Jesus, the Gospel tells us, seeing the faith of these people, said to the paralytic: “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” The paralytic hears these words and remains silent. He offers no word of thanks. He wanted the healing of his body more than that of his soul. He lamented the transitory pain of his sick body but the eternal torment of his soul, whose sickness was even greater, this he did not mourn. He adjudged his present life to be more precious to him than the life to come. Christ was right to take account of the faith of those who brought the sick man to him and to pay no attention to the latter’s stupidity. Thanks to his neighbor’s faith, the paralytic’s soul would be healed before his body. “When he saw the faith of these people,” the Gospel says. Take note here, my brethren, that God is not concerned with what the foolish want; he doesn’t expect to find faith among the ignorant; he doesn’t analyse the foolish desires of a sick man. On the other hand, he does not refuse to come to the help of another’s faith. Such faith is a gift of grace and is in harmony with the will of God.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team