The second Wednesday in Ordinary Time, reflection at daily mass at Mary Gate of Heaven Church
This week, the US celebrated MLK day, remembering Martin Luther King Jr. who fought for civil rights and an end to racism and discrimination. MLK was a proponent of non-violence, which meant that all his demonstrations and protests were peaceful. Some people criticized MLK for not doing enough, some thought that force should be used to combat injustice. But MLK knew that peace wasn't just an easy word. Non-violence wasn't just doing nothing. It required great strength.
People would sit at lunch counters at restaurants that they weren't allowed to go to because of the color of their skin. Many people were dragged out of the stores, beat up, and hosed down, all the while staying peaceful. Striving for peace and justice takes strength. This brings us to our gospel today. The Pharisees have been fighting and arguing with Jesus, especially about the Sabbath. And today, their arguments come to a head because Jesus decides to heal the man with a withered hand. Before he does this, Jesus asks the Pharisees whether it is lawful to do good or bad on the Sabbath.
Jesus is saying that to obey the Sabbath is to do good on the Sabbath because while the Pharisees are taking a very strict stance, they aren't just doing nothing. The gospel says the Pharisees are plotting to kill on the Sabbath. Jesus basically asks "is that okay - being violent on the Sabbath? Plotting against your neighbor on the sabbath?"
Reminds me of a line from the Jamaican national anthem "strengthen us the weak to cherish." Give us the strength to love the weak and the vulnerable. As MLK and Jesus both knew, loving the poor and vulnerable and working for their peace takes great strength and courage. Where are we letting hate and resentment for others into our hearts? How can we soften our hearts and turn our hearts to doing good?
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