Reflection for September 7 Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:6-11

Gospel: 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 what they might do to Jesus.

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Reflection:

Is doing good always in season?

To do good is always in season. There is no exception when it comes to doing good. Jesus makes this truth clear when He heals a man with a withered hand even on the Sabbath. For Jesus, love and compassion cannot be confined by rules, circumstances, or the calendar. When there is someone in need, there is always an opportunity for us to do good.

Doing good encompasses everyone—our friends, relatives, strangers, and even our enemies. We are called to extend our kindness and compassion not only to those who love us, appreciate us, or agree with us, but also to those who may have hurt us or made life difficult for us. This is the kind of love that Jesus asks us to live.

This is what Jesus wants us all to emulate: to make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow human beings wherever and whenever we can. Even on holy days such as the Sabbath in the Jewish tradition, Jesus reminds us that doing good and showing compassion should never be set aside. Let us also be careful not to be selective about whom we help. Genuine Christian love does not ask first, “Does this person deserve my kindness?” Instead, it asks, “How can I become an instrument of God’s love to this person?”

Throughout the three years of His public ministry, Jesus healed people without discrimination, regardless of who they were or what the circumstances were. He was not afraid even when there were threats of physical and verbal abuse against Him. His priority was to bring healing, mercy, and hope to those who needed Him. His life teaches us that love is not merely something we speak about—it is something we courageously live, especially when doing good becomes difficult.

Perhaps there are times when we find it hard to do good to certain people. We may think, “Why should I help someone who has hurt me?” or “Why should I be kind to someone who has never been kind to me?” Yet this is precisely where the love of Christ challenges us. Jesus did not reserve His goodness only for those who were good to Him. He continued to love, forgive, heal, and serve—even those who rejected and persecuted Him.

Are we becoming more like Jesus in the way we do good? Are we willing to extend our kindness even when there is nothing we can gain in return? More importantly, are we able to do good without choosing who is worthy of our love, compassion, and help?

May we allow the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts so that our goodness will not depend on convenience, recognition, or the worthiness of others. May our lives become instruments through which God’s love reaches those who are hurting, forgotten, rejected, or simply in need of a helping hand.

Doing good is always in season. The question is: when God places someone in need before us today, will we open our hearts and become the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus—or will we find a reason to walk away?—Marino J. Dasmarinas