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: Tobit 1:3; 21b-8 Mark 12:1-12 Reflection: How is it the day after the great celebration of Pentecost we have two sad stories? Tobit speaks of a murder in Nineveh. » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13 John 20:19-23 Reflection: Pentecost 2017 After Jesus ascended, the disciples were confused and fearful as they gathered together. Questions filled their minds: what » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 John 21:20-25 Reflection: “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 25:13b-21 John 21:15-19 Reflection: There are two very dramatic readings before us today. The first tells part of the story of the Apostle Paul’s denunciation to the Roman » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 John 17:20-26 Reflection: “…so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me…” Many of the teachings of Jesus, » Continue Reading.
The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18a or Romans 12:9-16 Luke 1:39-56 Reflection: If you’re at all like me, you’ll have asked yourself The » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 20:17-27 John 17:1-11a Reflection: In today’s gospel we have these words: “Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and him whom you have sent, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 1:12-14 1 Peter 4:13-16 John 17:1-11a Reflection: Leavetaking!!! Each of us will at some point in our life, take leave of something or someone. Whether it happens many » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 18:23-28 John 16:23-28 Reflection: Today’s Scripture readings demonstrate the importance of continuing to open our minds and hearts to a better understanding of our relationship with God. In » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 18:9-18 John 16:20-23 Reflection: A number of years ago, as I was about to undertake a considerable challenge in my career, I confided to a friend that I » Continue Reading.