Righteous Anger

In today’s Gospel we find once again the hardness of hearts in the Pharisees and Jesus trying to show them that the law of God is one of love, not of arbitrary rules. Jesus again performs a miracle that changes the life of a man, but also impacts the witnesses. Before he does so, he wants to allow the Pharisees to take a step beyond themselves and to truly enter into the teaching of Christ; “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Mk 3:4) he asked them. There is silence, because everyone knows the correct answer, yet no one is willing to say it in fear of being contrary to a law they do not fully understand. For this reason, Jesus looks at them “with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart” (Mk 3:5). We are called as Christians to serve one another as Christ served us, to be Christ to each other at every moment. When we consume the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, we become tabernacles of our Lord, and we go forth into the world to share and spread the Good News of his love and Resurrection. But we must do so not by blinding ourselves by the letter of the law, but allowing God to enter into our hearts to sow love through the spirit of his law.

Reflection: How can I not harden my heart today?
 

Lord God, thank you for today and everyday. Thank you for your love and mercy as I go through my day Lord, with you on my mind and in my heart. Allow your Spirit to fill my heart Lord, that with every person I meet, I may see you in them. I pray, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

Resources: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012319.cfm