HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

Homily for Wednesday of the 2nd week of ordinary time

Mark 3:1-6

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Cure of the man with the withered hand

The Gospel reading of today's liturgy speaks to us of the cure of the man with a withered hand. We are told that when he entered the synagogue, there was a man with a withered hand. The people watched him to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath that they might accuse him. Jesus said to man with the withered hand , "Come forward". He asked: "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to Kill?" (Mk 3:14).

Hands are essential parts of the human person; instrumental for work, charity and service. The absence of these essential parts weary the human person from comfortably performing works of charity and service. Hence, the man with the withered hand within the context of the synagogue must have been passing through these challenges.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, a Christian can be spiritually withered when he lacks the spirit of charity and service. When he lacks the needful compassion for humanity. When his apostolate does not serve the interest of God in his brothers and sisters.    

Beloved in Christ, sin darkens the mind. it was darkness that enveloped the hearts of the Pharisees so much so that they had no compassion on the man with the withered hand. It is popularly said that when man is forgotten, God is forgotten. When God is forgotten, we are left in the darkness of our minds. The Pharisees never sort for the recovery of the man with the withered hand rather they were interested in accusing Jesus for bringing healing and salvation to the man.

Although the Pharisees went to the synagogue on regular basis, yet their minds weren't in tandem with the spirit of the Sabbath which is to do good and to offer salvation. Friends in Christ, the society exists for man, and not man for the society. Our work is to be for the services and benefits of man. In our observance of religious practices, man should be a substantial beneficiary. 

How charitable are you? How compassionate are you? Is your religious practices and observances geared to the welfare of the human person? Remember, where love and charity abide, there God is found. 

Have a blessed day

Fr Remi Osj