REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus’ courage and integrity in the face of opposition leads to the cure of the man with the withered hand. As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus consistently chooses to “save life,” giving the Sabbath law the completion of its purpose. He looks for those who are in the margins, puts them at the center, and lets them enjoy health, well-being, salvation. He cannot be deterred from doing his mission, no matter how much censure comes his way. 

It is not easy to live out the religious traditions deeply and creatively, adhering to the original purpose why these traditions came about in the first place. We always need to discern, search our hearts, and sincerely determine why we do what we choose to do. Let us allow the Spirit of Jesus to help us in the way of discernment, to give us wisdom and courage as we live Gospel lives that communicate the saving power of our God.

First Reading • 1 Cor 5:1-8 

Brothers and sisters: It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans—a man living with his father’s wife. And you are inflated with pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst. I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus: when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 

Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, in as much as you are unleavened. For our Paschal Lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 
 

Gospel • 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.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,”  St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.