Wednesday of week 2 in Ordinary Time
Mark 3:1-6
Called to Life in the Centre of the Community

In today’s Gospel reflection, we journey with Jesus through the heart of conflict, where love and life confront rigid legalism. This passage invites us, as pilgrims of hope, to consider how we, like the early Christians, can find courage in Christ’s example when faced with systems that prioritise rules over compassion.

On a Sabbath day, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand in the synagogue. While the religious authorities scrutinise Him for any breach of Sabbath law, Jesus boldly places the man at the centre of the community, declaring through His actions that every person is beloved and has a rightful place in God’s family.

By asking the man to “get up and stand in the middle,” Jesus not only restores his hand but resurrects his dignity. The call to rise is a call to new life, a reminder that the Gospel liberates us from systems that diminish life and hope. As pilgrims of hope, we are challenged to emulate Jesus by rejecting any ideology that sacrifices human well-being for the sake of rigid rules.

Jesus’ question—“Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?”—pierces the hearts of His opponents, revealing the hypocrisy of a system that values tradition over love. His anger and grief echo the pain of all who suffer under unjust structures, urging us to act with compassion and courage.

Lord of life, give us the courage to stand for what is good and just, placing love above all else. Amen.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025