11 September, 2023 | Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel Lk 6:6-11

Have we been grateful enough for all our healings?

Gospel Text:

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.

Reflections:

Despite Jesus clearly performing good deeds, the Pharisees kept a constant vigilance on him. They tried to find fault with all that he did.  If we view people through a lens of suspicion or negativity, we become prone to only noticing the negative aspects and missing the underlying good. Jesus, as a bold person, did what he believed was right even on the Sabbath, despite the watchful eyes of the scribes and Pharisees who sought to find fault with him. In our own lives, we should strive to do good and appreciate the positive occurrences around us, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainties. By cultivating an open and compassionate outlook, we can better recognize the good in others and contribute positively to the world around us.

Activity: 

Take a moment to introspect and assess whether you are truly receptive to listening and comprehending the perspective of the other person.