Love and mercy above all else

1Cor 5:1-8; Psalm: 5; Lk 6:6-11

In Luke 6:6-11, we are presented with the story of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. Despite the religious leaders watching Him closely to see if He would heal on a day meant for rest and worship, Jesus proceeded to heal the man anyway, demonstrating His compassion and desire to bring healing and restoration to those in need. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that love and mercy should always take precedence over rigid adherence to rules and regulations.

Saint Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India. She once said, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” This quote encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ actions in Luke 6:6-11 – that love and compassion should be at the forefront of all our actions, even if it means going against societal norms or expectations.

We are called to follow the example of Jesus and saints, like Mother Teresa, in showing love and compassion to those around us, especially those who are marginalized or in need. By prioritizing love and mercy above all else, we can bring healing and restoration to a broken world and show others the transformative power of God’s grace. Let us remember the words of Mother Teresa and strive to put love at the center of all that we do, following in the footsteps of Jesus, who healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath.