Withered Hand Vs Withered mind and intention

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 23rd  Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 6:6-11*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 5:1-8*

*Withered Hand Vs Withered mind and intention*

*1) Man with Withered Hand*

In the Gospel we see a man with withered hand. 

When some ones hand is withered, the person may not be able to use his/her hand freely 

Since the right hand of this man was withered, he might have found it very difficult to manage his daily works 

When right hand of the person had deformity it is really difficult to manage. Such a person is not able to work or manage his life in a normal way. He has to depend on some one else at all times 

*2) Jesus heals the man with a Withered hand*

The Gospel mainly focuses on the healing of the man 

As Jesus came out from the synagogue, he saw this man and he healed him 

Jesus healing the man with a withered hand gives a powerful message that Jesus is able to heal any physical deformity 

This healing has to be seen in the context of the attitude of Sribes and Pharisees

*3) The Withered minds and thoughts of Sribes and Pharisees*

The Gospel makes it very clear that what was the intention of the Sribes and Pharisees

They watched closely to Jesus to find fault with him 

Their intention is to accuse Jesus 

By seeing the good work or the healing they became angry 

They came together to discuss and plan how to trap Jesus 

All these above things show that their minds and thoughts were evil. In other words we can say their minds and thoughts were withered 

*4) Withered minds and thoughts are dangerous*

Comparing to withered hand and withered minds and thoughts, the attitude of Scribes and Pharisees were more dangerous than the withered hands 

They are dangerous because they try to destroy other other, spoil the good name of the other and create a obstacle for good works 

*5) Jesus healed man with withered hands but not the withered thoughts and minds of Scribes and Pharisees*

Towards the end of the Gospel it is very clear that man with withered hand was healed and not the withered thoughts and minds of the Sribes and Pharisees

It is very easy to cure the physical ailments but it is very difficult to cure the sickness of mind and thoughts 

When the mind is vicious, when thoughts are evil and when heart is crooked, nothing can save a person 

So withered heart, mind, thoughts, attitudes are more dangerous than anything in this world 

*6) How is my life?*

There are two things 

Withered hands symbolises the physical ailments which can be treated easily 

Withered thoughts, mind, heart and attitude is very difficult to heal 

To which category do I belong? 

Do I possess the withered mind, heart, thoughts, and attitude? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*