In today’s Gospel, the man was paralyzed, helpless. He could not move. He was completely dependent on others. We learn to love each other so much more deeply when we surrender ourselves to another’s care, or surrender ourselves to caring for another. 
   Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter. “My Child, your sins are forgiven.” This is the only word we need to hear to be truly happy: that whatever we’ve done or not done in our lives, God is greater than our failures. He will reconcile us if we trust him. This is the “word” that Jesus was preaching—“many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, and he preached the word to them.” This is the word that draws out the human heart, and draws immense crowds. This is real healthcare.
   The word “Lent” means springtime in Old English, and every springtime is a new beginning. We enter into Lent with true hope: that God will help us conquer our addictions and overcome our paralysis. The first reading from Isaiah speaks this hope (35:1-10) God gives us another day, another chance, another Lent. We can regain our innocence; we can recover the joy of our youth. Make a plan for Lent now, it is never too late!: 
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Give yourself to Jesus this Lent (if you have not yet!) through resolute acts of love and sacrifice. And put it all into the immaculate hands of our Blessed Mother.
   Jesus healed people, and only the Church can heal and protect the dignity of every human person in our nation and all over the world. We cannot look to the Government to heal our cultural ills. 
   Our world needs the Church as much or more than it needs the government. After all, America was founded by pilgrims feeling government oppression, to establish a country where citizens could practice their faith free of government control. They made this the very first amendment of our bill of rights.