Reflection for Monday September 9 Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest: 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:

Do you have the guts to defy someone so that you could do something positive to others? 

In the Gospel, Jesus cured the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and the scribes. They were keenly watching the Lord if He would heal the man on a Sabbath day: A day of rest and a holy day for them. But Jesus defied the Pharisees and scribes so He healed the man even if it was a Sabbath day. 

Jesus placed greater importance on helping the sick man than on observing the Sabbath. What unquestionable courage. Let’s say there comes a time when we find ourselves in the same situation as Jesus. What should we do then? Should we heal on that prohibited day or not? 

Would we simply forgo helping those who are in need because it is a sacred day? Or we will be like Jesus who put more weight on extending help to someone in need. 

The best path to take is to be like Jesus who helped the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and scribes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas