Monday of 23rd Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Don’t be insensitive to the genuine needs of others

Reading: Lk 6:6–11

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus was in the synagogue on the Sabbath teaching. There was a man in that temple whose right hand was withered, and the Pharisees were waiting to see if He would heal him since certain works were prohibited on the Sabbath. Jesus healed the man regardless of the feelings and reaction of the Pharisees.

From what the Pharisees were thinking, Jesus would have been in their good book if He had left the sick man in his misery in a bid to respect the regulations of the Sabbath. But Jesus saw the genuine needs of the sick man and also understood that regulations that are blind or insensitive to the well-being of humans should not be followed. Jesus wanted them to understand that all policies and regulations should be for the welfare of humanity.

Dear friends, Jesus is telling us that in our efforts to create, enforce and observe both civil and ecclesial laws, we must not lose sight of the genuine needs of humanity. He is telling us not to close our eyes to the needs of the people around us in our efforts to appear good before God and the state, particularly before God. In fact, no one who closes his eyes to the genuine needs of his fellow man will ever appear good before God.

Friends, in your efforts to be the number one in the church in terms of constant presence, prayer activities, financial donations, leadership and other services, don’t forget to help that needy that lives next door. If his/her presence and needs do not concern you, if his/her cries do not touch you, then your efforts to appear good before God are futile.

In your efforts to appear good before God, don’t be insensitive to the genuine needs of others.

May God bless your new week. Amen

Fr Isaac C. Chima