if you knew what he knows...
"Jesus was aware of what they were thinking." —Matthew 9:4
Jesus can read people's minds. Probably He read not only the scribes' minds but also the paralytic's mind. Jesus may have known the paralytic's most disgusting sins, for which He would be crucified. Jesus also knows all of our sins in every detail.
If we saw our sins as God does, we would probably be covered with shame and hate ourselves. The Lord, however, sees us in all our sinfulness and loves us perfectly, infinitely, and unconditionally. "It is rare that anyone should lay down his life for a just man, though it is barely possible that for a good man someone may have the courage to die. It is precisely in this that God proves His love for us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rm 5:7-8).
Although the Lord is all-knowing, He is all-merciful and all-loving. Accept His unconditional acceptance of you. Let Jesus wash away by His blood the sins of your sordid past. Live in the freedom and purity of His unconditional love (see Jn 15:9).
Prayer: Father, You love me infinitely. Help me love myself.
Promise: "I swear by Myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from Me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing — all this because you obeyed My command." —Gn 22:16-18
Praise: The first martyrs of Rome were treated worse than animals by Nero's henchmen, but continued to sing with the angels.
Reference: (Do you know what God is thinking? A retreat on Aug. 1-3 will explore two spiritual gifts, Prophecy and Deliverance. Knowing what is on God's mind is the first step in obtaining freedom for ourselves and others. Call 513-373-2397 to learn more or to register.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 1, 2011
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.