The Gospel of St. Luke 6: 6-11
“And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man, and his right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched if he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts; and said to the man who had the withered hand: Arise and stand forth in the midst. And rising he stood forth. Then Jesus said to them: I ask you, if it be lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy? And looking round about on them all, he said to the man: Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth: and his hand was restored. And they were filled with madness; and they talked one with another, what they might do to Jesus."
In today's Gospel passage from Luke 6:6-11, we encounter a powerful message that resonates with us today even in the modern world. It is the story of our Lord Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, despite the watchful eyes of the scribes and Pharisees who sought to accuse him of wrongdoing. Today’s reading offers us all a profound lesson about the boundless nature of doing good, the strength to uphold our principles in the face of worldly adversity, and the importance of holding fast to the truth of Christ and His Church.
No Barriers to Doing Good
The Gospel reading opens with Jesus entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, where He encounters a man with a withered hand. Immediately, we are faced with a powerful truth: Jesus knew that there was no barrier to doing good, not even the strict rules of the Sabbath. He posed a question that transcends time and culture: "I ask you, if it be lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy?" (Luke 6:9).
Here, our Lord reminds us that doing good should know no bounds or limitations. It is a universal obligation that goes beyond societal norms and traditions. Just as Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, we too are called to perform acts of kindness and mercy, even when it might seem inconvenient or unconventional.
The Challenge of Doing Good in a Misguided World
The scribes and Pharisees who observed Jesus that day were more concerned with preserving their rigid interpretation of the law than with the well-being of the man with the withered hand. Their hearts were hardened, and they were blinded by their own pride and self-righteousness. Sound familiar?
In our world today, we often encounter situations where doing good seems to clash with prevailing ideologies and opinions. It can be challenging to stand up for what we believe to be right when society seems to have a perverted sense of "good." Just as Jesus faced opposition from those who didn’t agree with His actions, we may often encounter resistance or criticism when we choose to do good.
Holding Fast to the Truth of Christ and His Church
In the face of opposition, it is critical for us to hold fast to the truth of Christ and His Church. Jesus didn't waver in His commitment to doing good, even when it led to controversy. Likewise, we must remain unwavering in our commitment to live out the teachings of Christ and the moral principles of our faith.
Our faith provides us with a moral compass that guides us in discerning what is truly good and just. When the world's definition of "good" conflicts with our faith, we should remember that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His Church. Our actions should reflect the love, compassion, and mercy that Jesus exemplified, even when the world doesn’t understand that true love is the love that doesn’t affirm misguided and gravely disordered conduct. True love is bringing someone back to Christ and turning them away from sin.
The Good Fight
Today's Gospel reminds us that truly doing good knows no boundaries. Jesus taught us that we are called to do good, even in the face of a world that may not understand or appreciate our actions, and will often chastise and persecute us for them. We have to always stand firm in our commitment to Christ's teachings and the moral principles of our faith, regardless of societal pressures or disordered misconceptions of "good."
As people of faith, we have the privilege and responsibility to be beacons of light in a world that sometimes seems darkened by confusion and misguided notions of right and wrong. Let us heed Jesus' example and strive to do good unceasingly, knowing that our actions, rooted in true love and truth, can bring people back to our Lord.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
St. Luke the Evangelist, pray for us.
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