“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,
Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
It is impossible to read this miracle story without recalling the oft-repeated phrase of the Old Testament, “with mighty hand and outstretched arm.” We hear it in the most-often celebrated story of Passover, when the Lord delivered the Hebrews from Egypt. God and Moses stretched out their arms and the land was struck with plagues, the sea was opened and Pharaoh with his army of chariots perished.
In today’s gospel story the sick man and Jesus vanquish their enemies. Then the Pharisees, driven to madness, do the unthinkable – they work on the Sabbath with the intention of destroying Jesus.
Catholics and Christians throughout the United States today join in prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. We remember that children have a right to life, care, protection, education and married parents who love one another. To deny any of these rights to a child intentionally is serious injustice.
Abortion is not just an American problem. Nearly every nation sanctions abortion as a method of birth control. The Catholic Church is the only organization with sufficient moral authority and international recognition to protest. It also seems to be the only institution that can recognize the inevitable consequences of abortion – the disintegration of the family, the atomization of society and the increase of violence.
The Hebrews recognized God’s strong hand and outstretched arm in plagues that fell upon Egypt, Israel and Judea. Can we ignore today's plagues of drug abuse, suicide, sporadic shootings and international terrorism? Might these be the predictable consequences of abortion, of entire nations hardening their hearts and using violence to solve their problems?
What can be the point of terrorism? What can anyone hope to accomplish by the killing of defenseless humans? True, they garner international attention, but to what end? The terrorists make no apparent demands. Their tactics are sometimes brilliantly conceived and executed. Do they create havoc to show it can be done?
Hobbyists create computer viruses to that end, or so they say. But "they do not know what they are doing." They work mindlessly, without moral constraint, unaware of the evil spirit that speaks through them.
Just as Pharaoh acted irrationally when the Lord hardened his heart, abortion, violence and terrorism work havoc today. God has hardened their hearts as he hardened the hearts of the Pharisees who hated Jesus.
When we are ready to turn back to God and welcome every child we will know peace.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.