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Since 1368, this second Sunday in Lent has been dedicated to the memory of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica. Originally from Asia Minor, Gregory was reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos. He spent some time in Thessalonica, being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Councils that were convened against Barlaam of Calabria and Acindynus who claimed that the grace of God is created. Gregory contended courageously for the truth, teaching divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation. Otherwise, it would be impossible, if grace were created, for human beings to have genuine full communion with the uncreated God.

The Gospel reading today tells of the healing of a paralytic man at Capernaum. Jesus forgives him his sins, and the Scribes are astonished that anyone other than God can forgive sins. The Epistle reading [Hebrews details the ministry of Angels. Neither reading has any bearing on Saint Gregory Palamas; this is because his commemoration was introduced long after the Sunday readings were prescribed.

And, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" — he said to the paralytic — "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"