Fr. Orion Wiebe's Homily Sunday July 5, 2026

Gospel Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 6:17-23 At that time Jesus entered into a boat, crossed over [the lake and came into his own town.Behold, some people brought him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer! Your sins are forgiven!" At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes!" Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil [thoughts] in your hearts?Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven' or, 'Get up, and walk?'But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (then he said to the par-alytic), "Get up, take up your mat, and go to your house." The man got up and departed to his house. But when the crowds saw this, they were astonished and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. At that time, Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Je-rusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now,mfor you will laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.