So I actually went for a run yesterday. The unusual balmy weather, which has us “at least it’s a dry heat” Californians all confused about life in general, has subsided and so I went for a lovely evening stroll. At some point during my walk I felt the urge to jog (it has been a LONG TIME since I felt like jogging) and while it took me by surprise, I obeyed this urge and started jogging. It felt really good, but on the uphill climbs I needed to catch my breath every now and then. My lungs have been out of training and so I would simply slow down to a walk and once I had my breath back, I’d pick up the pace and start running again. Eventually, those amazing endorphins kicked in and my labored burning legs and breathing warmed into a fluid stride and cleansing inhalation. My favorite part of a run is the stretching afterward; while my muscles are still warm and my runner’s high is fully engaged, this stretching allows my tightening to stay squishy so as to prevent soreness and to become strengthened, and it gives my breathing a proper winding down so my heart doesn’t explode. My spontaneous run yesterday brought to mind today’s gospel. Sabbath was given to us to restore wholeness, catch our breath, and stretch out our withered souls to our Savior.
In today’s gospel Jesus asks a man in need of healing to “stretch out your hand.” This occurred after Jesus asked a leading question pointed at the judgy scribes and Pharisees, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, or save life rather than to destroy it?” What is required for good or for being saved? That we stretch. Stretching while our muscles are cold is more difficult and requires a bit more care, however, stretching with warmed muscles is much more therapeutic and beneficial. Stretching out our withered hearts, minds, souls, hands, feet, wills, and faith toward Jesus, particularly on the Sabbath, is what allows good over evil and life over death to restore us back to wholeness. I recently heard someone say something like “every good Christian should have stretch marks.” Taking time to rest and catch our breath in His presence warms the muscles of our soul, which makes our stretching out our withered-ness toward Him more receptive. Our stretch marks show our faith in His promises, our willingness to grow, strengthen, and not grow weary. Jesus is asking us to stretch out our hands to Him today and to let Him save our withered-ness. It is well with my soul.
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Lectionary: 437
Reading 1COL1:24–2:3
Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Responsorial Psalm PS 62:6-7, 9
R.(8) In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
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.
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.
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