Stretch out your hand

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Have You Found the Lord?

Today is Monday the 7th of September, the Martyrdom of Blessed Ralph Corby SJ, in the 23rd week of Ordinary Time.

Leslie Jordan with The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Have You Found the Lord’? As you enter into prayer, reflect on all the surprising places God has been found in your life recently... the kindness of a friend... in nature... a seemingly ordinary moment...

Have you found the Lord?

Is he in the wind?

Yes, yes, yes, he’s in the wind

Have you found the Lord?

Is he in the storm?

Yes, yes, yes, he’s in the storm

Christ is in ten thousand places

Ever-present, high and low

Where could I, where could I

Where could I go?

Have you found the Lord?

Is he in your tears?

Yes, yes, yes, he’s in my tears

Have you found the Lord

As a patient friend?

Yes, yes, yes, he is my friend

Christ is in ten thousand places

Ever-present, high and low

Where could I, where could I

Where could I go?

Have you found the Lord?

Is he always good?

Yes, yes, yes, the Lord is good

3:25

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

5:14

Jesus heals in full view of people who are watching only so as to catch him out, and he does not let their hostility hold him back. He puts the question that exposes what is really at stake: is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it? He places kindness above any rule that might get in kindness’s way. Is there a rule, a habit, or an expectation in your own life that sometimes gets in the way of your doing good?

The man is told simply, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He has to act, in trust, before he can know whether healing will follow. Grace so often asks something of us first, some small movement towards it, before we feel its effect. Is there a withered part of you, some capacity you have stopped trusting, that Jesus might be inviting you to stretch out today?

As you hear the reading once more, notice what draws your attention this time. What do you feel as you watch this small, quiet act of courage and compassion?

8:39

Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

10:14

The leaders’ response to healing is fury rather than joy. Good news that should delight them instead threatens the control they cling to. Is there a corner of your own heart that resists good news because it asks you to let go of control? Take this to God now, as honestly as you can.

12:39

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen