Wednesday: 2^nd-Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-33.37.40-51: David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone.

Gospel: Mark 3:1-6: Is it against the law on the Sabbath day to save life?

Jesus’ Impact upon Authorities and Politicians:

Understanding True Religion.

This was a critical event for Jesus-the climax of five conflicts with the religionists (teachers of the law and Pharisees). Time and again the religionists had attached Jesus, accusing Him of teaching a false religion. In this climatic confrontation, Jesus took the man with the shrivelled hand and demonstrated just what true religion is. The demonstration was so clear and forceful that the religionists were stunned. What is true religion? We assess into five things:

1.     Jesus entered  the synagogue (v.1-2)

a.     Confronted a man with a shrivelled hand

b.    Confronted the religionists

2.     True religion is a willingness to stand up (v.3)

3.     True religion is doing good and saving lives (v.4)

a.     Not rules, regulations

b.    Not refusing to face the truth

4.     True religion is righteous anger against error and evil (v.5)

a.     Feelings of anger and grief

b.    Because of stubbornness and hardness

5.     True religion is restoring people to completeness and wholeness (v.5)

6.     True religion is not intrigue nor is it destructive (v.6)

Thought: Real religion is a willingness to stand up. Christ calls every person to rise up, stand, repent and confess his faith in the Lord’s power to save and heal him (Rom 12:1-21; Mt 20:28; Acts 17:29-30 etc.). True religion is doing good and saving lives. Position, power and security very often corrupt people’s hearts and minds like scribes and Pharisees in the Gospel.

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