1st Reading: Heb 7:1-3, 15-17
Gospel: Mk 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue. A man who had a paralyzed hand was there and some people watched Jesus: Would he heal the man on the Sabbath? If he did they could accuse him.
Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed hand, "Stand here in the center." Then he asked them, "What does the Law allow us to do on the sabbath? To do good or to do harm? To save life or to kill?" But they were silent.
Then Jesus looked around at them with anger and deep sadness because they had closed their minds. And he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was healed. But as soon as the Pharisees left, they met with Herod's supporters, looking for a way to destroy Jesus.

Another Sabbath controversy for Jesus! Though some Pharisees were hoping to accuse him for violating the Sabbath law again, when Jesus saw a man with a physical ailment, he called him over. This man had a withered hand, which disabled him from working for his living; and those who were so afflicted were objects of charity. In anticipation of their criticism, Jesus explained why he should heal on the Sabbath; and then he cured the man. But the Pharisees, even when they could say nothing against his truth, yet would not yield to him. Jesus looked at the root of bitterness in their hearts, their blindness and prejudice, and was saddened by them.
Nowadays, the great healing day is the Sabbath and the healing place is the house of prayer; but our healing is spiritual and the healing power is of Christ. The gospel command is like that recorded here: though our hands are withered, yet if we will not stretch them out, it is our own fault that we are not healed. But we are assured to be healed, if only we outstretch our hands to Christ and receive his power, grace and blessings.