First reading Colossians 1:24-2:3
God’s message was a mystery hidden for generations
It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ. It is for this I struggle wearily on, helped only by his power driving me irresistibly.
Yes, I want you to know that I do have to struggle hard for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for so many others who have never seen me face to face. It is all to bind you together in love and to stir your minds, so that your understanding may come to full development, until you really know God’s secret in which all the jewels of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
Responsorial Psalm 61(62):6-7,9
In God is my safety and glory.
In God alone be at rest, my soul;
for my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold,
my fortress: I stand firm.
In God is my safety and glory.
Take refuge in God, all you people.
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
for God is our refuge.
In God is my safety and glory.
Gospel Luke 6:6-11
Is it against the law on the sabbath to save life?
On the sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure a man on the sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up! Come out into the middle.’ And he came out and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I put it to you: is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?’ Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was better. But they were furious, and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.
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To look for opportunities to do what is good and loving
The religious leaders were watching Jesus with suspicion, hoping that He would make a wrong move so that they could find something to charge Him with. When Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, they could see this act as good but were furious because He had broken the Sabbath law.
As we read the passage, let us reflect on our attitude towards people, especially those whom we tend to regard with
negativity. Often, we fail to see the good in them and their actions. Allow Jesus to clean the lenses through which we view them so that we can learn to look at them beyond their faults and imperfections.
negativity. Often, we fail to see the good in them and their actions. Allow Jesus to clean the lenses through which we view them so that we can learn to look at them beyond their faults and imperfections.
Jesus entered the synagogue and saw the man with the withered hand with compassion. Depsite knowing that He would anger the scribes and the Pharisees, He chose to do good and save life. Today, He calls us to do the same.
Question for reflection:
How can I choose to “do good” and “save life”, instead of being preoccupied with looking out for people’s mistakes and limitations?
How can I choose to “do good” and “save life”, instead of being preoccupied with looking out for people’s mistakes and limitations?
