Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 6: 6-11
September 5, 2022 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

On another Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and began teaching. There was a man with a paralyzed right hand, and the teachers of the law and the Pharisees watched him: Would Jesus heal the man on the Sabbath? If he did, they could accuse him. But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to the man, “Get up, and stand in the middle.” Then he spoke to them, “I want to ask you: what is allowed by the law on the Sabbath? To do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And Jesus looked around at them all. Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored, becoming as healthy as the other. But they were furious, and began to discuss with one another how they could deal with Jesus.

Today’s Reflection:

The man with shriveled hands in the synagogue was the center of attention in our gospel scene today.  Jesus taught the Pharisees that every day is an occasion to do what is good and to save lives from their miserable condition. He challenged those whose hearts are blinded and closed by the rigorist interpretation of the Sabbath rest: “I ask you, it is lawful to do good or to harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?”

Instead of exclusion and disgust, the Lord welcomed the man: “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” Jesus redeemed the poor man’s condition. The Lord helped him overcome rejection and shame through an outpouring of love.

The Gospel teaches us not to be afraid to show our pain and vulnerability to the Lord who heals. We are called to open our lives to him so that touched by his grace, we may receive healing. In the same way, we, who are in the path of following the Lord’s call to love, are compelled to act with compassion for the least in our society. /Vulnerasti, 2022