Ord.Wk 2nd: Wednesday 18th January, 2023 January 18, 2023
Reflection on the WORD
Compassionate God: In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees began to plot to kill Jesus, because He cured a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The cold hearted living of the Sabbath Laws, destroys God’s Compassionate Love and Mercy for His people. Ponder on: Are we cold-hearted and judgmental in living the Church’s Laws?
Mark 3:1-6
Jesus went into the synagogue, and there was a man present whose hand was withered. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath day, hoping for something to charge him with.
He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Get up and stand in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing.
Then he looked angrily round at them, grieved to find them so obstinate, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and began at once to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.

Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- · The Pharisees could not see that the Sabbath Laws of God was meant to be subservient to the needs of someone suffering because God is full of Love and Compassion.
- · Throughout Jesus’ Public Ministry, He showed much Compassion especially to the poor, needy and sinners e.g. the prostitutes, tax-collectors, Jews who condemned Him and the Roman soldiers who crucified Him.
- · Ask the Lord for the grace to be more aware of our need to be compassionate towards others as Jesus has shown us.
