Today’s gospel reading for Mass in traditional Catholic churches says:

Entering into a boat, Jesus crossed the water and came to his own city. People there brought him a paralysed man lying on a stretcher. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick man, “Be of good heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.”

At that, some of the scribes said amongst themselves, “He is blaspheming.” Jesus seeing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Rise up, and walk . . . .’? So that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he then turned and spoke to the sick man) Rise up, take your bed, and go back to your house.”

He rose and went to his house.

The crowd, seeing this, feared and glorified God that he gave such power to men.

(Saint Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 9)

* * *

The big miracle was their faith in God. That’s what saves souls.

Whether Jesus proceeded to miraculously fix the man’s body was less important.

The physical healing was more for the benefit of the unbelievers present — the Scribes, paid to be religious, but reluctant to recognise God Incarnate when they saw him.

Religious people – especially religious leaders — are always in danger of pride, which can lead to selective blindness.

* * *

Most Australian Catholics can’t see that the English-language ceremony used in their parish church is NOT a translation of the Traditional Latin Catholic Mass, as used until the 1970’s – but something completely different.

Why not? Because their religious leaders haven’t told them, and don’t want them to see why . . .

* the new Mass downplays the sacrificial nature of the Mass

* modern altars have no Cross on them

* the priest’s Signs of the Cross, as per the Old Mass, are suppressed

* modernist priests seldom kneel, more often bobbing their heads at the holiest moments of the Mass

* * *

Those watching Jesus miraculously heal the paralysed man were filled with fear . . . .

We need the Mass of Tradition, which miraculously fills us with the fear of God . . . not only in church on Sunday, but all day, every day.