Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Lk 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.
JESUS HEALS ON THE SABBATH: It was Jesus’ custom to go to synagogues on Sabbath to teach. There, people gathered to listen and be taught. Among the people on this day, was a man whose right hand was withered. This man came to listen to the teachings of Jesus. Also, there were Pharisees who came to seek faults in what Jesus said rather than listen to His teachings. There are people who go to church not to listen to the Word of God but for different purposes. Some go to encounter the Holy Spirit in order to be forgiven. Others still, go to look for the faults of others. Such are the people that find fault with the works of Jesus. What is the reason that makes you go to church?
PRAYER: Lord help us to see the good of others.
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POWER OF PATIENCE: Bantu people’s proverb says, “One who is patient consumes ripened fruits”. St. Paul explains clearly how he suffered for Jesus. If we look at St. Paul’s life we find that he suffered persecutions and insults, but he was patient and as a result, he could be victorious in life. In the Gospel of today we see that they we were trying to accuse him, “they might discover a reason” (Lk 6:7). The virtue of patience made St. Paul to evangelize many nations. We are in a world of “instant culture”, and we want things to be done for us instantly and we often lack patience to receive grace and to be successful in our lives. We pray to the Lord for the virtue of patience to carry our crosses and to follow Him in our day today Christian life.
DAILY GOSPEL 