At first glance, this story is simply about Jesus healing as he does so often in the New Testament and the Pharisees clucking in disapproval. They follow the letter of the law, forgetting that sometimes exceptions can be made, such as when their ancestors decided it was okay for them to defend themselves against the Gentiles who were trying to destroy them on the Sabbath.
But with further thought, we can see the allegory in this story. Who is this man with the withered hand and why was Jesus so intent on healing him in a synagogue in front of scribes and Pharisees on the Sabbath? Surely the healing could have been done outside in private on any other day.
Jesus has a heart for his lambs and he wants them to experience the goodness of his love sooner rather than later. Who is the man with the withered hand? We are. We are the broken, sinful lambs and Jesus is our healer and shepherd. Jesus desires to forgive us and heal us of the sin we find ourselves battling with. He does this through the Sacrament of Reconciliation but also every Sunday at Mass when he comes to us fully in body, blood, soul, and divinity. Every time we participate in the ritual of the Holy Mass, we beg for his mercy, knowing with faith that he offers it freely to our contrite hearts and we fortify ourselves physically and spiritually with his Body and Blood. We participate in the re-creation of his sacrifice that bridges the gap between heaven and earth allowing us to one day be with him in paradise.
To be healed on the Sabbath, whether from a withered hand or a withered soul, is a gift beyond measure. Praise be to Jesus for his love and healing. He is so good!
A primera vista, esta historia se trata simplemente de Jesús sanando como lo hace tan a menudo en el Nuevo Testamento y de los fariseos chasqueando la lengua en señal de desaprobación. Ellos siguen la letra de la ley, olvidando que a veces se pueden hacer excepciones, como cuando sus antepasados decidieron que estaba bien que se defendieran de los gentiles que intentaban destruirlos en sábado.
Pero si pensamos más, podemos ver la alegoría en esta historia. ¿Quién es este hombre con la mano tullida y por qué Jesús estaba tan decidido a sanarlo en una sinagoga frente a escribas y fariseos en sábado? Seguramente la sanación podría haberse realizado al aire libre, en privado, cualquier otro día.
Jesús tiene un corazón para sus corderos y quiere que experimenten la bondad de su amor más temprano que tarde. ¿Quién es el hombre con la mano tullida? Nosotros. Somos los corderos quebrantados y pecadores y Jesús es nuestro sanador y pastor. Jesús desea perdonarnos y sanarnos del pecado con el que nos encontramos batallando. Lo hace a través del Sacramento de la Reconciliación, pero también cada domingo en la Misa, cuando viene a nosotros plenamente en cuerpo, sangre, alma y divinidad. Cada vez que participamos en el ritual de la Santa Misa, imploramos su misericordia, sabiendo con fe que la ofrece libremente a nuestros corazones contritos y nos fortalecemos física y espiritualmente con su Cuerpo y Sangre. Participamos en la recreación de su sacrificio que cierra la brecha entre el cielo y la tierra, permitiéndonos un día estar con él en el paraíso.
Ser sanado en sábado, ya sea de una mano tullida o de un alma tullida, es un regalo inconmensurable. Alabado sea Jesús por su amor y sanación. ¡Dios es tan bueno!
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at merridithfrediani.com.
Feature Image Credit: Artem Kovalev, unsplash.com/photos/woman-wearing-gray-long-sleeved-shirt-facing-the-sea-fk3XUcfTAvk
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