Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Hermogenes Bacareza SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Monday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees set a trap for Jesus. They wanted to catch Him violating their interpretation of the Sabbath law, rooted in the Third Commandment: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). They were convinced that their understanding of the law was correct and were certain that Jesus’ actions would prove that He was not the Messiah.
As usual, however, Jesus turned the tables on them and exposed their distorted understanding of God’s law. He asked them: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Mark 3:4). By healing the man with the withered hand, Jesus revealed that God’s law was given not to burden people but to serve life, mercy, and healing. As He had earlier declared: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
Yet even after witnessing both His words and His actions, the Pharisees refused to change. Instead of allowing their hearts to be converted, “the Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel against him, how to destroy him” (Mark 3:6).
The Pharisees were not the first people to use religion to justify mistaken ideas and behaviors, nor were they the last. History offers painful examples. During the Crusades, some used Christianity to justify violence against Muslims. In later centuries, slavery was defended from certain pulpits through distorted interpretations of Scripture. Even today, there remains the temptation to manipulate God’s Word so that it supports our personal opinions and prejudices rather than allowing God’s truth to challenge and transform us.
The danger is always present. We can become so attached to our own viewpoints that we try to make Scripture fit our thinking instead of allowing Scripture to shape and convert us. St. Paul warns against this attitude when he encourages the Colossians to be filled “with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9). Likewise, he urges believers: “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10).
Therefore, we must remain open to the conversion of our hearts. We must not allow our fear of being wrong to prevent us from recognizing the truth that God reveals. Humility before God is far more important than being proven right. As Isaiah reminds us: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).
Let us not be like the Pharisees who attempted to set traps for God. Rather, let us imitate Christ Himself, who placed mercy above legalism and love above self-righteousness. May the Holy Trinity enfold us with divine wisdom, humility, and grace, so that we may always seek God’s truth rather than our own preferences.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, free me from pride and self-righteousness. Give me a humble and teachable heart, open to Your truth and willing to be transformed by Your Word. Help me to choose mercy over judgment, love over legalism, and Your will over my own. Amen.
