Which is Easier?

 Gospel: Mark 2: 1-12

Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic and his friends in today's reading.  The Pharisees protest that only God can forgive sins, at which point Jesus poses a challenge to them and to us:  which is easier to do - to heal someone of a physical infirmity, or to forgive sins?  Let us consider this question from our modern perspective of medicine and treatment, leaving aside the question of miracles.

Damar Hamlin was unconscious with no heartbeat on a football field.  He was revived by a team of trainers, brought to a hospital via ambulance with EMT staff, and remained at the hospital in Cincinnati for nine days, after which he was transferred to a hospital in Buffalo for another two day stay.  Damar is now under the care of therapists for ongoing healing and rehabilitation.  Physical healing is a long process that requires many hands, time, and resources.  

Now consider what it takes to forgive others of sins.  All that is required is that we let go of our pride, to remember that God has forgiven us so many things for which we are not worthy of forgiveness, and that in turn we must forgive others and extend mercy to them in the same way mercy has been shown to us.  

Which is easier?  This question is a challenge to us in our own lives as individuals and communities of people.