Before my father passed away, a priest arrived at the Emergency Room at 2:00 p.m. and administered the Anointing of the Sick. I was very appreciative of the priest because he administered the sacrament with solemnity. The sacrament was not only for my father; it was also for us the family. It was such great comfort and consolation that my father had the privilege of having his sins forgiven. 

In discussing forgiveness and sin in the Gospel, Jesus healed a paralytic. However before doing so, he said, “Your sins are forgiven”. What is the relationship of sin, forgiveness, and healing?

1. First, we must remember that we are body and soul. Each affects the other. If the body is not well, the soul is not well either. If the soul is not well, the body is likewise affected. 
   
2. When one is angry, notice how it affects all parts of the body. From liver, to gallbladder, to the head and heart with high blood pressure, they are all affected. Imagine straining your body 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Eventually the body will become affected and sick.
   
3. Notice the importance of prayer, meditation, positive outlook, forgiveness, and inner peace, when one is sick? The recovery is swifter.

May we pray for the strength that we may always be able to forgive. We must remember that when we forgive, it is not about the person who has hurt us. It about ourselves.

As such, we become the first beneficiary:

• Physically, our body also recovers.
• Emotionally, we have a better outlook in life.
• Spiritually, while being sick is a very difficult human experience, we see the hand of God in all situations. 

May we remember that forgiveness is no longer an option, but a necessity in healing.