GOSPEL POWER - JANUARY 20, 2021 - WEDNESDAY

Gospel: Mk 3:1-6 

 Again Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand.  They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him.  And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.  He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.  The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

REFLECTION

T he Sabbath controversy escalates into outright hostility and plot of violence as Jesus continues to exercise his lordship over this day-of-rest by promoting life and wholeness, which is the very activity of God. Even Jewish rabbis acknowledge the unceasing work of the Creator in renewing the breath of life he has infused in all his creatures. Everything is being sustained in existence by God’s continual activity… yes, even on Sabbath day. But the ill feelings of the Pharisees who oppose Jesus prevail over reason and truth. In their blindness, even a suffering person is used as a pawn to get Jesus to perform a cure on the Sabbath, and thus bring an accusation against him. Though Jesus is aware of the trap, he acts in freedom as the compassionate Lord of the Sabbath, the restorer of God’s order in creation

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, help us to be proactive like you and not to allow opposition to prevent us from doing the good that must be done. Amen.