2nd Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 22nd January 2020

In the Gospel passage, Jesus’ mercy for the man with the withered hand is the climax of the section that began with Jesus’ cure of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12. Its climactic nature becomes evident in three ways. Firstly, the Gospel writer, Mark, places this synagogue cure on the Sabbath, immediately after the statement that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. The healing of the man with the withered hand is concrete proof of Jesus’ claim to Lordship.

Secondly, unlike the previous passages where it is the Pharisees who question Jesus and become upset with him now, it is Jesus who challenges the Pharisees and becomes angry with them. In the face of Jesus’ questioning, the Pharisees had nothing to say. Here, Jesus demonstrates his authority as Lord of the Sabbath.

Thirdly, after Jesus shows his merciful power by entirely restoring the man’s hand, the Pharisees withdraw to plot how they might destroy Jesus.

Today’s Gospel narrative of the healing of the man demonstrates that conflicts and challenges will come to those who wish to follow him. Nevertheless, no matter the difficulties we will face while trying to live the Christian life, Jesus will be with us on our behalf. He assures us that he will respond generously to our faith in him because he has come for the needy as a merciful Lord of the Sabbath.

Lord, thank You for showing me the way.