Monday of week 23 in Ordinary Time 


1 Corinthians 5:1-8 

Psalm 5:5-7,12

Luke 6:6-11



Jesus was filled with deep love and compassionate concern for the man with the withered hand.


Jesus enters a synagogue where there is a man “who has a withered hand.” Like many gospel stories, Jesus finds himself in a situation where doing good can bring healing and hope. There is a man who is suffering, who is hurting, and Jesus longs to bring him comfort and restoration. Yet this story is filled with tension and the threat of hostility because the same synagogue also houses a group of Pharisees.


They see what Jesus does—a man in need of kindness and healing—but they interpret the situation differently. To them, the man with the withered hand is not a person in need but a problem that might threaten their strict adherence to Sabbath laws. Ironically, they hope Jesus will heal the man so they can accuse him of breaking the law.


Instead of backing down, Jesus speaks gently but firmly: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” With this question, Jesus reminds us of the core message of the gospel.

Yes, laws are important, but they must never hinder us from doing good. Yes, traditions guide us, but if they become barriers to love, mercy, and justice, they need to be reconsidered. To elevate rules above compassion and kindness is to turn away from what truly matters. Jesus’s anger today reflects his sorrow that the Pharisees’ rigid legalism blinds them from seeing the needs around them.


On the Sabbath, Jesus chooses love over law, breaking strict laws to help someone in need. In doing so, he teaches us what it truly means to follow him. Like Jesus, we are called to be vessels of healing, mercy, and love. If we refuse to stand for compassion, we are ultimately opposing him.


The Lord’s wrath on sin is grave.

Some people believe that sin isn't so serious, but it’s actually the most harmful thing we face. Sin is destructive, spreading pain and suffering much like yeast that affects all the dough (1 Cor 5:6). It causes wounds that can fester if left unchecked.

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