Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers an d Sisters in Christ:

“Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

In today’s Gospel reading, the scribes and the Pharisees are watching Jesus with hatred in their hearts to see if He heals a man with a crippled hand on the Sabbath. Jesus asks them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Jesus is challenging the Pharisees and scribes to extend their thinking beyond the words and look for the deeper meaning of the commandments. The commandment, Keep Holy the Sabbath Day, is all about salvation and saving and not about abstinence from work. If someone is ill, then we should reach out to render aid. The intention of the Sabbath is to “do good” and to “save life” and not allow humanity to die in sin. Jesus calls the cripple man forward and says to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He extended his hand and it was healed. When someone is hurting or needing help, the first thing that comes to mind is out stretched hands. When a child needs his parents, they approach them with outstretched hands. As we go through life, many people extend their hands for help; the poor, the homeless, the weak, and the injured. Do you deny them aide or do you reach out to help them? The Sabbath Day is a day of rest so we can recharge our life, so we can reflect on the aliments which cripple our souls. This is also a day we should honor God for all the healing graces He has provided to us. What better way to say thank you then to extend the same grace to someone else who is in need. Not only is the Sabbath a day for you to extend your arms to ask for forgiveness from your sins, but it is a day for you to embrace someone else who has extended their arms in need. The sad part about today’s Gospel is that the Pharisees and scribes did not recognize the good that Jesus provided. Jesus not only cured this man’s hands, he also cured this man’s soul. They were so wrapped up in hatred and envy that they missed the true meaning of today’s message. The Sabbath is a day of healing and we are called to be healers of men. The Sabbath is a day of salvation and we should walk with our hands extended to embrace the Lord.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, I extend my arms to be healed.

May your saving grace flow through my body.

Transform me into your servant so I can heal others.

Give me the strength to help the poor and the weak.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon