CCC 589

Jesus gave scandal above all when he identified his merciful conduct toward sinners with God's own attitude toward them.³⁶⁷ Cf. Mt 9:13; Hos 6:6. He went so far as to hint that by sharing the table of sinners he was admitting them to the messianic banquet.³⁶⁸ Cf. Lk 15:1-2, 22-32. But it was most especially by forgiving sins that Jesus placed the religious authorities of Israel on the horns of a dilemma. Were they not entitled to demand in consternation, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"³⁶⁹ Mk 2:7[ETML:C/]. By forgiving sins Jesus either is blaspheming as a man who made himself God's equal, or is speaking the truth and his person really does make present and reveal God's name.³⁷⁰ Cf. Jn 5:18; 10:33; 17:6,26.