Stretch Out Your Hand | September 5, 2016

September 5, 2016

Have you ever had someone in your life that encouraged you to stretch yourself? A coach? A teacher? A spiritual director? A friend? An enemy? Stretching is good for our muscles, our blood, our lungs, our minds, and our souls. When we stretch ourselves, we slowly squeeze out more…more reach, more compassion, more perseverance, more effort, more self, more. Stretching requires patience, because it must be done slowly and gradually or things will tear, snap, and break. Stretching can hurt if done improperly. Stretching is best when the muscles are warm or supple. Stretching can be used to work out kinks and stiffness. Stretching makes every part of your self breathe in and out. Stretching is good when done in the right way and at the right time.

Today’s gospel is a stretching lesson from Jesus himself. With all eyes on him, Jesus calls the man with a withered hand out of the crowd, “Come up and stand before us.” Then he turns toward the Pharisees, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Stretch your narrow minds upward, and hold it, for 3-2-1, and breathe out. Stretch your hardened hearts wider, and hold it, for 5-6-7-8, and breathe out. Stretch your untrusting souls deeper, and hold it, for 10 seconds, and breathe out. Then he looked around the room, like the magician David Blaine showing the deck of cards to a full house in Las Vegas. Everyone leans in so they don’t miss the slight of hand (pun intended) trick. If synagogues had a house band, they would kick in with the drum roll here…to the man, Jesus says, “Stretch out your hand.” Ta da!!!!! His hand was completely restored, ladies and gentlemen!!!! Amazing!!!!

Once again, Jesus knew that healing the man’s physical ailment was important but restoring this man’s faith and all those that let their heart become transformed through this miracle, was the actually amazing part and the “good” that he referred to in his opening challenge. Everyone’s minds, hearts, and souls were stretched to a point that squeezed out more thought, more love, and more spirit.

So stretch out your hand toward Christ today and be restored in your faith. Stretch your mind to think more like Christ today and be transformed in grace. Stretch your heart to love like Christ today and be the change this world needs. Stretch your soul to pray like Christ today and be a well of life for others.

Reading 1 1 COR 5:1-8

Brothers and sisters:
It is widely reported that there is immorality among you,
and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans–
a man living with his father’s wife.
And you are inflated with pride.
Should you not rather have been sorrowful?
The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst.
I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit,
have already, as if present,
pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed,
in the name of our Lord Jesus:
when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit
with the power of the Lord Jesus,
you are to deliver this man to Satan
for the destruction of his flesh,
so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not appropriate. 
Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?
Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough,
inasmuch as you are unleavened.
For our Paschal Lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed.
Therefore, let us celebrate the feast,
not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Responsorial Psalm PS 5:5-6, 7, 12

R. (9) Lead me in your justice, Lord.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
You hate all evildoers.
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.
You destroy all who speak falsehood;
The bloodthirsty and the deceitful
the LORD abhors.
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.
But let all who take refuge in you
be glad and exult forever.
Protect them, that you may be the joy
of those who love your name.
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.

Alleluia JN 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught,
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up and stand before us.”
And he rose and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them,
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.