D.R.R.
January 18th 2004, 12:29 AM
Obedience fills Hearts
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 18, 2004
Second Sunday in Ordinary time
John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." (And) Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, " ." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I see all the gifts you have poured out upon my life and I believe in your love for me. I trust your will and the blessings you bestow on even the smallest act of obedience. I love you, Lord, for the excellence and infinitely abundant graces you offer me. Teach me to pray with a heart like yours.
Petition: Grant me a deeper understanding and practice of obedience as perfect love.
1. Where is your heart? There is no doubt about the hearts of a newly-wed couple; they love each other. The hearts of the guests hold dear this couple and share their joy. They all enjoy themselves, celebrating with fellowship, food and not to mention plenty of wine. Mary enjoys this feast as well, but does not immerse herself in the feast. She observes with a mother’s heart, attentive to the needs and welfare of the rest. When she discovers the shortage of wine, that mother’s heart is torn. “What an embarrassment for a couple!” But more deeply, she anticipates the pains of separation from her son: “Only he can resolve this. It is time for him to begin, and for me to let him go.” Is my heart ready to let go and suffer, so that God might work in me?
2. Love and Obedience Mary is impelled by love to intercede and invite her son to initiate his ministry. She always obeys the demands of love, though they often cause a spiritual sword to pierce her heart. She need not ramble on, much less nag Jesus; she knows his heart. A word suffices, They have no wine. Although he objects, ”My hour has not yet come”, his mother merely turns to those who stand ready to serve, “Do whatever he tells you”. As a man, Jesus has learned obedience; as God, he only asks for obedience. Prompt and generous obedience follows as the best response of real love, especially when he sees that it also hastens the sword that will open his own heart. Is obedience the essence of my love?
3. Mystery of Light The Second Luminous Mystery is, like the others, a revelation of ‘who Jesus is,’ “the beginning of his signs”. He is the obedient son of His Father, and of his mother. He comes to redeem our lives, caring even for the smallest details and most significant moments. But the revelation extends deeper. The hearts of Jesus and Mary, united in love and mission, reveal the plenitude of God’s love. Employing every one of those large stone water jars, filling them all the way to the brim, the Lord produces the very best wine for us. God offers us the best, a share in his life. Do I offer the best I have to God and others?
Dialogue with Christ: Dear Lord, teach me the mystery of love. Open my heart to obey your every desire. Help me to purify my love in the crucible of obedience.
Resolution: I will do whatever love demands of me today, joyfully and promptly.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Law
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 19, 2004
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 2 : 18 - 22
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to him and objected, "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are the center of my life and give it meaning. In you all things make sense and all suffering is justified. I trust that you will bless all I do for love of you. I love you, Lord, and want to do something more for you today. Let it start with my fasting from all but prayer, with this meditation. Mother Mary, teach me to pray with love.
Petition: Mary, help me to focus on Christ and do more and more out of love for him.
1. The Spouse of Christ Jesus defends his disciples. They have found the One who was to come and redeem them. He has come to make them “sons of God”, reconcile them with the Father and through adoption grant them the inheritance of his Kingdom. “They were yours and you have given them to me” (Jn.17:6), says Jesus to his Father. The intimacy to which he calls his followers is radical. His blood courses through the veins of those in communion with him. He comes to be the center of our lives. Do I understand this better than the Pharisees did?
2. Why fast? Fasting was traditionally part of Jewish observance, as a means to subdue the flesh, humble oneself, and implore God’s mercy. For some, as with many practices imposed out of fear and strict social code, it had become a “show” and lost its meaning. Fasting is done for the sake of conversion and penance. Yet, if the Lord is with us, if we are gazing upon him, what sense has fasting? Is he not the object of our heart, the one we seek to find, the only one in whom we can rest? Jesus wants me to enjoy him, give myself to him, learn from him and simply be with him. Is that my greatest desire?
3. The New Wine The old wine was the observance of a slave, out of fear and necessity. Jesus calls us to taste of new wine. The wine that must be poured out is more than physical sacrifice and suffering, it is charity. Charity pours itself out in meeting the needs of others, working for justice and the dignity of others. This same charity pours itself out in prayer to God, imitating the example of the Divine Master. The perfect fulfillment of our duties and vocation in life, as Fr. Maciel reminds us, must be our primary form of sacrifice and penance, the expression of our love.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, show me the ways of your love. Keep my eyes upon you that I might love you in all I do. Help me to deny myself but always to move beyond self to self-giving, the surrender of my will to you out of love.
Resolution: I will spend time before the Eucharist (at least an hour this week), fasting from all else but knowing and loving Christ.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Freedom of Love
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 20, 2004
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 2 : 23 - 28
As he was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?" Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
Introductory Prayer:Lord, I believe in your sovereignty over me. You have given me all the good I possess and you alone enable me to use it well for love and for your glory. I trust in your grace and beg you to pour it out upon me. I love you with my mind; enkindle my heart with an active and humble love to cooperate in your mission of love.
Petition: Lord, grant me goodness of heart so I can love you freely.
1. Slaves of a Critical Spirit The pitiable Pharisees follow Jesus and his disciples everywhere, even across the countryside, trying to figure them out. They are blinded by pride so that they see and do only the letter, not the spirit of the Law. Pride reduces love to well-measured-out doses of fulfilling the law. I am the one who is faithful and righteous. Love and God are somehow left out of the picture. And my heart then becomes a judge of my brothers, since for me life is all about making myself holy and perfect. The failings of others become a consolation for me. The critical spirit of pride becomes the lone eye through which I see myself and others.
2. Jesus’ Freedom “Have you never read what David did…” means: ‘have you never understood with your hearts?’ If it all depends on me, my value and personal righteousness, then I can’t afford to love, and give away all that control and self-affirmation. Jesus realizes that he is dependant on the Father for all he is and does. So Love is his identity and ultimate rule for action. He doesn’t need to judge others or blindly follow laws. ”Love and do as you please,” says St. Augustine. Jesus loves, and his love allows him to fulfill the law according to its purpose, God’s glory and man’s salvation. Does love free me from the narrow ways of my pride?
3. Lord of Life Jesus understands with mind and heart that God’s laws are to protect and bless man’s life. They guide him on a sure path to know and love God. This trust in God and his laws allows us to live them fully. I should obey trying to understand the best motives for my obedience. And when a conflict arises, unselfish, pure love must guide my decision to do God’s Will. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath because it is only a means, whereas God is end man is called to. He understands the sense and blessing of the Sabbath for man. Love frees him to go beyond the letter of the law and live the real essence of the Sabbath, God’s glory and man’s salvation.
Dialogue with Christ: Dear Lord, free me from slavery to my own pride. Give me a humble heart, filled with love, and free me to seek and embrace the good in every moment and circumstance of my life. Increase my faith so I will see how to love by entering into your heart and mind, you who are my Lord.
Resolution: I will obey (parents, spouse, Church, laws) with a supernatural spirit this week. The submission of my will must be a positive affirmation of love, directed toward my Lord and God.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Heal Hearts
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 21, 2004
Saint Agnes
Mark 3: 1-6
Again he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.
Introductory Prayer:Lord, I believe in your goodness and love. I believe that you have called me to holiness and a share in your divine life. I trust that you can and will heal all that hardens my heart. May my prayer be an effort to love from my heart. St. Agnes, obtain for me the courage to give over my whole heart to be purified by God’s love.
Petition: Grant me, Lord, a humble and contrite heart.
1. The Synagogue Jesus entered a synagogue as was his custom. It was a place of religious gathering, of prayer and teaching –both comprising the Sabbath service. The building was modeled after the Temple in Jerusalem, faced it, and served as a kind of substitute for it because of distance or exile. The leaders took the chief seats and faced the congregation. Jesus must have been invited to share in the teaching and discussion that followed the prayer and reading of Scriptures. This was the world where Our Lord’s teaching was to begin.
2. Withered Humanity Jesus may first have seen the man with a withered hand. He came to heal the lame and had trained his eyes to see their infirmities and needs. But his gaze of faith also quickly recognizes the spiritual weaknesses and ailments of those gathered, especially in the hearts of the leaders. They, called to be shepherds and guides for the flock, were caught up themselves, in the power and control they horded, in the respect they coveted and in the pride that blinded them. No one there was free from sin. All of us stand in need of instruction and healing. What a pitiful sight Jesus beholds in them and in us! But worst of all appears the corruption of those who look to trap, trick and judge Him who is Truth and Love.
3. The Heart of Jesus His heart opens to me with mercy and compassion. He knows that I carry sin and insecurity within me. He does not condemn me, only seeks to “do good” and “save life”. Yet he requires that I have faith and trust him. I must humble myself and allow him to heal me. For this reason, what most causes him pain and grieves him is my hardness of heart, my unwillingness to open up, sincerely admit my sin and need, to humble myself and confront the truth of my life. Such silence reveals a closed opposition to anything that threatens my own self-affirmation, my pride. Do I trust him? What is my response to the generosity of his heart?
Dialogue with Christ: Dear Lord, help me to let go of my own securities and trust in you. Teach me not to fear my own weakness and limitations. My real strength is in you. You will raise me up, above my pride and self love, if I but learn to be humble as you are. Fill me with an experience of your love, like that of St. Agnes, soften my heart and make it like yours.
Resolution: I will dedicate myself to a serious examination of my conscience every night this week and sincerely and humbly confront that hardest area of my heart.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 18, 2004
Second Sunday in Ordinary time
John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." (And) Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, " ." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I see all the gifts you have poured out upon my life and I believe in your love for me. I trust your will and the blessings you bestow on even the smallest act of obedience. I love you, Lord, for the excellence and infinitely abundant graces you offer me. Teach me to pray with a heart like yours.
Petition: Grant me a deeper understanding and practice of obedience as perfect love.
1. Where is your heart? There is no doubt about the hearts of a newly-wed couple; they love each other. The hearts of the guests hold dear this couple and share their joy. They all enjoy themselves, celebrating with fellowship, food and not to mention plenty of wine. Mary enjoys this feast as well, but does not immerse herself in the feast. She observes with a mother’s heart, attentive to the needs and welfare of the rest. When she discovers the shortage of wine, that mother’s heart is torn. “What an embarrassment for a couple!” But more deeply, she anticipates the pains of separation from her son: “Only he can resolve this. It is time for him to begin, and for me to let him go.” Is my heart ready to let go and suffer, so that God might work in me?
2. Love and Obedience Mary is impelled by love to intercede and invite her son to initiate his ministry. She always obeys the demands of love, though they often cause a spiritual sword to pierce her heart. She need not ramble on, much less nag Jesus; she knows his heart. A word suffices, They have no wine. Although he objects, ”My hour has not yet come”, his mother merely turns to those who stand ready to serve, “Do whatever he tells you”. As a man, Jesus has learned obedience; as God, he only asks for obedience. Prompt and generous obedience follows as the best response of real love, especially when he sees that it also hastens the sword that will open his own heart. Is obedience the essence of my love?
3. Mystery of Light The Second Luminous Mystery is, like the others, a revelation of ‘who Jesus is,’ “the beginning of his signs”. He is the obedient son of His Father, and of his mother. He comes to redeem our lives, caring even for the smallest details and most significant moments. But the revelation extends deeper. The hearts of Jesus and Mary, united in love and mission, reveal the plenitude of God’s love. Employing every one of those large stone water jars, filling them all the way to the brim, the Lord produces the very best wine for us. God offers us the best, a share in his life. Do I offer the best I have to God and others?
Dialogue with Christ: Dear Lord, teach me the mystery of love. Open my heart to obey your every desire. Help me to purify my love in the crucible of obedience.
Resolution: I will do whatever love demands of me today, joyfully and promptly.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Law
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 19, 2004
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 2 : 18 - 22
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to him and objected, "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are the center of my life and give it meaning. In you all things make sense and all suffering is justified. I trust that you will bless all I do for love of you. I love you, Lord, and want to do something more for you today. Let it start with my fasting from all but prayer, with this meditation. Mother Mary, teach me to pray with love.
Petition: Mary, help me to focus on Christ and do more and more out of love for him.
1. The Spouse of Christ Jesus defends his disciples. They have found the One who was to come and redeem them. He has come to make them “sons of God”, reconcile them with the Father and through adoption grant them the inheritance of his Kingdom. “They were yours and you have given them to me” (Jn.17:6), says Jesus to his Father. The intimacy to which he calls his followers is radical. His blood courses through the veins of those in communion with him. He comes to be the center of our lives. Do I understand this better than the Pharisees did?
2. Why fast? Fasting was traditionally part of Jewish observance, as a means to subdue the flesh, humble oneself, and implore God’s mercy. For some, as with many practices imposed out of fear and strict social code, it had become a “show” and lost its meaning. Fasting is done for the sake of conversion and penance. Yet, if the Lord is with us, if we are gazing upon him, what sense has fasting? Is he not the object of our heart, the one we seek to find, the only one in whom we can rest? Jesus wants me to enjoy him, give myself to him, learn from him and simply be with him. Is that my greatest desire?
3. The New Wine The old wine was the observance of a slave, out of fear and necessity. Jesus calls us to taste of new wine. The wine that must be poured out is more than physical sacrifice and suffering, it is charity. Charity pours itself out in meeting the needs of others, working for justice and the dignity of others. This same charity pours itself out in prayer to God, imitating the example of the Divine Master. The perfect fulfillment of our duties and vocation in life, as Fr. Maciel reminds us, must be our primary form of sacrifice and penance, the expression of our love.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, show me the ways of your love. Keep my eyes upon you that I might love you in all I do. Help me to deny myself but always to move beyond self to self-giving, the surrender of my will to you out of love.
Resolution: I will spend time before the Eucharist (at least an hour this week), fasting from all else but knowing and loving Christ.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Freedom of Love
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 20, 2004
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 2 : 23 - 28
As he was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?" Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
Introductory Prayer:Lord, I believe in your sovereignty over me. You have given me all the good I possess and you alone enable me to use it well for love and for your glory. I trust in your grace and beg you to pour it out upon me. I love you with my mind; enkindle my heart with an active and humble love to cooperate in your mission of love.
Petition: Lord, grant me goodness of heart so I can love you freely.
1. Slaves of a Critical Spirit The pitiable Pharisees follow Jesus and his disciples everywhere, even across the countryside, trying to figure them out. They are blinded by pride so that they see and do only the letter, not the spirit of the Law. Pride reduces love to well-measured-out doses of fulfilling the law. I am the one who is faithful and righteous. Love and God are somehow left out of the picture. And my heart then becomes a judge of my brothers, since for me life is all about making myself holy and perfect. The failings of others become a consolation for me. The critical spirit of pride becomes the lone eye through which I see myself and others.
2. Jesus’ Freedom “Have you never read what David did…” means: ‘have you never understood with your hearts?’ If it all depends on me, my value and personal righteousness, then I can’t afford to love, and give away all that control and self-affirmation. Jesus realizes that he is dependant on the Father for all he is and does. So Love is his identity and ultimate rule for action. He doesn’t need to judge others or blindly follow laws. ”Love and do as you please,” says St. Augustine. Jesus loves, and his love allows him to fulfill the law according to its purpose, God’s glory and man’s salvation. Does love free me from the narrow ways of my pride?
3. Lord of Life Jesus understands with mind and heart that God’s laws are to protect and bless man’s life. They guide him on a sure path to know and love God. This trust in God and his laws allows us to live them fully. I should obey trying to understand the best motives for my obedience. And when a conflict arises, unselfish, pure love must guide my decision to do God’s Will. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath because it is only a means, whereas God is end man is called to. He understands the sense and blessing of the Sabbath for man. Love frees him to go beyond the letter of the law and live the real essence of the Sabbath, God’s glory and man’s salvation.
Dialogue with Christ: Dear Lord, free me from slavery to my own pride. Give me a humble heart, filled with love, and free me to seek and embrace the good in every moment and circumstance of my life. Increase my faith so I will see how to love by entering into your heart and mind, you who are my Lord.
Resolution: I will obey (parents, spouse, Church, laws) with a supernatural spirit this week. The submission of my will must be a positive affirmation of love, directed toward my Lord and God.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Heal Hearts
Author: Father Edward Hopkins, LC
January 21, 2004
Saint Agnes
Mark 3: 1-6
Again he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.
Introductory Prayer:Lord, I believe in your goodness and love. I believe that you have called me to holiness and a share in your divine life. I trust that you can and will heal all that hardens my heart. May my prayer be an effort to love from my heart. St. Agnes, obtain for me the courage to give over my whole heart to be purified by God’s love.
Petition: Grant me, Lord, a humble and contrite heart.
1. The Synagogue Jesus entered a synagogue as was his custom. It was a place of religious gathering, of prayer and teaching –both comprising the Sabbath service. The building was modeled after the Temple in Jerusalem, faced it, and served as a kind of substitute for it because of distance or exile. The leaders took the chief seats and faced the congregation. Jesus must have been invited to share in the teaching and discussion that followed the prayer and reading of Scriptures. This was the world where Our Lord’s teaching was to begin.
2. Withered Humanity Jesus may first have seen the man with a withered hand. He came to heal the lame and had trained his eyes to see their infirmities and needs. But his gaze of faith also quickly recognizes the spiritual weaknesses and ailments of those gathered, especially in the hearts of the leaders. They, called to be shepherds and guides for the flock, were caught up themselves, in the power and control they horded, in the respect they coveted and in the pride that blinded them. No one there was free from sin. All of us stand in need of instruction and healing. What a pitiful sight Jesus beholds in them and in us! But worst of all appears the corruption of those who look to trap, trick and judge Him who is Truth and Love.
3. The Heart of Jesus His heart opens to me with mercy and compassion. He knows that I carry sin and insecurity within me. He does not condemn me, only seeks to “do good” and “save life”. Yet he requires that I have faith and trust him. I must humble myself and allow him to heal me. For this reason, what most causes him pain and grieves him is my hardness of heart, my unwillingness to open up, sincerely admit my sin and need, to humble myself and confront the truth of my life. Such silence reveals a closed opposition to anything that threatens my own self-affirmation, my pride. Do I trust him? What is my response to the generosity of his heart?
Dialogue with Christ: Dear Lord, help me to let go of my own securities and trust in you. Teach me not to fear my own weakness and limitations. My real strength is in you. You will raise me up, above my pride and self love, if I but learn to be humble as you are. Fill me with an experience of your love, like that of St. Agnes, soften my heart and make it like yours.
Resolution: I will dedicate myself to a serious examination of my conscience every night this week and sincerely and humbly confront that hardest area of my heart.
By Father Edward Hopkins, LC
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