NOTES for Mat 9:2

Already in antiquity the psalmist said: "Blessed is the one whose sins are cleansed." A person experiences the sense of his own sinfulness very painfully, especially if this experience is hidden and unconscious. A vague, dark feeling of guilt bends us toward the ground and paralyzes every creative activity. The sense of our own imperfection, or, as psychologists say, a lack of positive self-esteem, drives us almost more strongly than hunger or thirst. At times this experience pushes us toward truly terrible things, but most importantly, it deprives us of joy and of the sense of the fullness and meaningfulness of life.

The whole experience of humanity converges on the thought that our imperfection and guilt are closely connected with humanity's disasters and sufferings. And this truly is captivity, a blockade that we are powerless to break through. That is why it is so important to hear these words of Christ about forgiveness. For by them He opens for us a new life in which we can be free and live meaningfully, fully, and joyfully. And nothing is required for this: no social reconstruction of society, no titanic efforts to change our own biography... Only faith that Christ's words about forgiveness are true.