Be of good cheer: your sins be forgiven you

The paralytic received  the forgiveness of his sins because Jesus saw  the faith of his company: they knew he was the Messiah. And he also taught them what this meant: not only can the Messiah heal; he can also forgive. For the Messiah is God in the flesh. And so let us rejoice in forgiveness--which we receive here, at the altar--for there must follow healing and resurrection and an eternal home. Sermon for Michaelmas I.  Also, here is the prelude for this day.