Today's Gospel - February 19, 2012

First Reading: Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25 
Psalm: Psalm 41:2-5, 13-14 
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 


1And when he returned to Caper'na-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home.2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them.3And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.4And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay.5And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven."6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,7"Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"8And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts?9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk'?10But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic --11"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home."12And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"