Daily Scripture, January 22, 2025
Scripture:
Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
Mark 3:1-6
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus is in a synagogue on the Sabbath, and there is a man there with a withered hand. The people there are watching Jesus closely, waiting to see what Jesus might be willing to do on the Sabbath. So, Jesus, knowing what’s on everyone’s mind, calls the man up front, and then asks a question: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Then Jesus heals the man.
As I reflected on this, I wondered if Jesus is telling us to always grasp the opportunity to do good, even if it comes across as unseemly or untimely. I was reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail,” in which he tries to explain to the religious leaders who asked him to refrain from the direct action he was leading, why the work for civil rights could not wait: “This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never.’”
There are many opportunities, both great and small, for us to do good and to save life. There are many people of good faith, even if their faith is not ours, with whom we can work to achieve good and promote life. And there is no need to wait.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17 Matthew 13:18-23 Reflection: Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. Luke 8:15 In reflecting on this » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11 Matthew 13:10-17 Reflection: They look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Seems like I’ve heard these words from Matthew’s gospel » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 Matthew 13:1-9 Reflection: Compared to the highly efficient and GPS-guided farming methods today, the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Matthew 20:20-28 Reflection: “Can You Drink the Cup?” Preachers often allude to the wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (The Cost of Discipleship) and Henri Nouwen (Can » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43 Reflection: Today in our Gospel reading we have three parables from Jesus, and an explanation of one of them. The one for » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 John 20:1-2, 11–18 Reflection: Today, we may have called her a “member of the inner circle.” Back then, it would have » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 11:10-12:14 Matthew 12:1-8 Reflection: We celebrate the value of ritual today. Ritual itself is celebration, so we are celebrating the value of celebrating. And most of us appreciate » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 3: 13-20 Matthew 11: 28-30 Reflection: Our first reading today from Exodus continues the story of the call of Moses. The dialogue between God and Moses is truly » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12 Matthew 11:25-27 Reflection: At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-11 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23 Reflection: The Gospel of Matthew has a series of seven parables. These are the high point of Matthew’s Gospel. In this section everything » Continue Reading.