17 January 2024 | Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

 Reading : 1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51

Gospel Mk 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue.

There was a man there who had a withered hand.

They watched Jesus closely

to see if he would cure him on the sabbath

so that they might accuse him.

He said to the man with the withered hand,

"Come up here before us."

Then he said to the Pharisees,

"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,

to save life rather than to destroy it?"

But they remained silent.

Looking around at them with anger

and grieved at their hardness of heart,

Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."

He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel

with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

Reflections:

One of the key themes of today’s gospel is the clash between Jesus and the religious leaders, regarding the observance of the Sabbath. Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, and the religious leaders watch closely to see if Jesus would heal him on the Sabbath, hoping to accuse him of breaking the religious law.. This passage highlights the hardness of heart and stubbornness displayed by the religious leaders. Despite witnessing the miraculous healing, they are more concerned with plotting against Jesus than recognizing the power and authority at work through him. As Christians are we willing to challenge societal norms or religious traditions and pre-conditions specially when  they hinder our ability to show love and kindness to those in need?

 Activity: 

Examine your heart and ensure that you do not become hardened or stubborn in your understanding of scripture and tradition, but remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.