The Second Sunday after Trinity
June 9, 2024
(Mark 3:1–6, NIV84) “Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”
Mark continues Jesus’ teaching about the Sabbath day.
Men who hated Jesus and wanted to kill him had no answer to Jesus’ question “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”
We, too, are to help and befriend our neighbor in every bodily need.
Sometimes we find that so hard to do. It seems that we are living in an age in which people often think “let someone else do it”. “Let someone else take care of those in need.” “I have been taken advantage of when I tried to help someone.” “Those who need help should make better use of their money.”
When John the Baptist preached repentance, “‘What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’” (Luke 3:10–11, NIV84) How many coats (tunics) do we have?
Jesus speaks of fruits of faith in this way: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35–36, NIV84)
Lord, lead us to serve you and our fellow men!
Prayer
O God, the Protector of all who trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply unto us Thy mercy, so that with you as our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through all things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord. Amen
