Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 11, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: 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 as to what they might do to Jesus.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today is taken from the Gospel of Luke and shows us Jesus continuing his teaching and healing ministry. This particular text shows Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. Jesus did this, aware of the scribes and Pharisees watching so as to trap Him in a Sabbath infraction. But He turned the question on them, asking “is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?"

How does this pertain to us today?

Jesus’ ministry calls us today still and begs of us to ask the question as to whether what we are about, what we are giving our time, our very lives to, is “good” rather than “evil,” if it is done to “save life” rather than to “destroy it.” Our free will remains. What are we choosing?

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What am I using my life as the gift from the LORD it is? Do I recognize within each moment the potential for doing good?

Praying:

LORD, our lives are gift, pure gift, from You. Help us to open ourselves, our hearts and minds, our moments to You and the potential that lies within us and within our moments. Help us to see the good that is possible within and to seize the opportunity to do what is good and loving always and everywhere. Amen.