Scripture Study for
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 43:18–19, 21–22, 24b–25 / Psalm 41:5b / 2 Corinthians 1:18–22 / Mark 2:1-12
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Understanding the Word
By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
Israel’s faith was based on the liberating events of the past. So Isaiah’s words, “Remember not . . . consider not,” must have been unsettling. The prophet was probably calling the people away from inordinate dependence on the past, a dependence that prevented them from seeing the astonishing new thing that God was accomplishing before their very eyes. Faithful reverence for tradition is one thing, but insistent absorption in it is quite another. While the new way that stretched out before them was truly astounding, most amazing was the transformation that took place within them. Though sinners, the merciful God wiped away their guilt, and once forgiven, they were recreated.
Paul is forced to defend the merit of his apostolic ministry. He does so by basing his defense on the trustworthiness of God. He argues strenuously that his ministry never demonstrated such inconsistency. He offers three examples of God’s faithfulness. First, Christ is the center of his preaching. Since there is no inconsistency in Christ, there is no inconsistency in his preaching. Second, all of God’s past promises have been fulfilled in Christ. And third, those baptized have been sealed with the Spirit of God. This presentation of God’s plan serves as an argument in defense of Paul’s ministry.
Jesus’ forgiveness of the man who came to him to be healed sets up the conflict between Jesus and the scribes who were present in the witnessing crowd. While they are correct in believing that only God can forgive, they are blind in not recognizing the power of divine forgiveness active in the person of Jesus. Knowing what the incredulous scribes are thinking, Jesus challenges their silent condemnation of him. He points out that forgiving sin is more difficult than healing, so the healing is merely an external sign of internal transformation. The man is sent home forgiven and healed; the crowds are astounded and give glory to God. Only the scribes remain unbelieving.