‘Authority’ is a difficult word.
For many people it goes hand-in-hand with the more negative issues that dog human society. People who are associated with authority are often seen as stern and solemn, uncompromising and unfeeling in their rigidity. This negative view of authority is, of course, about the abuse of power and strength; it is about intimidation and coercion, rather than enhancement, enrichment and protection.
Today’s reading shows us how authority can be used for good.
No one can doubt that Jesus has authority. Jesus teaches with authority, heals with authority, brings calm and order with authority, expels demons with authority.
And … today … we encounter something else. Jesus shows he has authority to do what God does … he has the authority to forgive sins, that is, to change a person’s life from the inside out.
To accept Jesus’ authority to forgive sins demands faith.
For the religious leaders, Jesus’ claim to share in God’s authority was a challenge.
Their physical and political strength would appear to win as they nailed him on a cross.
But … of course … Jesus’ divine authority would ultimately overcome all that abuse of human authority as he conquered sin and death in his glorious resurrection.
The paralysed man had faith in Jesus’ authority and he was forgiven and healed.
Do we share in that simple but sincere faith, or are we too caught up in the human take on authority?
Are we ready to lay our shortcomings and sins before Jesus and ask that we may know the unspeakable joy of his healing touch?