That’s A Stretch

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. And just like that his hand was healed. Don’t forget what makes the Sabbath holy, from yesterday’s gospel, communion with JESUS. 

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 bring a word of life to others. It is well with my soul. 

P.S. Shout out to Letty Peck!! It's her birthday today!!!!!! 65 years ago, God had the brilliant idea to release your beautiful soul upon this earth and none of us have been the same since!!! You are one of those people that stretches me in a good way! Have an amazing day. 

Reading 1 HEB 7:1-3, 15-17

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High,
met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings
and blessed him.
And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything.
His name first means righteous king,
and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.
Without father, mother, or ancestry,
without beginning of days or end of life,
thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up
after the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so,
not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent
but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.
For it is testified:

You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Responsorial Psalm PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R. (4b)  You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Alleluia SEE MT 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue.
There was a man there who had a withered hand.
They watched Jesus 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 the Pharisees,
"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."
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.