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MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

Olivia M. Bannan


A reading of the holy Gospel according to LK 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.


REFLECTION

"They became enraged"


Now, just what was the reason that the Scribes and Pharisees were enraged? Was it because Jesus showed compassion and healed on the Sabbath? Was He breaking the rules and regulations, the protocol followed for what could and could not be done on the Sabbath? In performing His miracle was Jesus showing He was the Master of the Sabbath? Were the Scribes and Pharisees upset with the look of Jesus, His tone of voice, or that indirectly or maybe directly their honor was insulted? Had they ever showed compassion to the man with the withered hand? Were they upset with themselves for not helping him? Any or all are possible or maybe not.


St John Climacus said about anger: "The memory of insults is the residue of anger".

Though the Scribes and Pharisees kept their anger under control for that moment they started plotting how to get rid of Jesus. Their anger was soon to become a physical expression in the death of Jesus.


And St John Vianney once said, "Anger never travels alone. It is always accompanied by plenty of other sins."


The Mayo Clinic Adult health department offers these guidelines to overcome anger.

1. Think before you speak.

2. Once calm express your concern.

3. Exercise

4. Take time out.

5. Identify possible solutions.

6. Always speak with "I" statements

7. Don't hold a grudge.

8. Use humor to ease tension.

9. Practice relaxation skills.

10. Know when to get help.


However, the best way to control and handle anger is to go to God for help and pray through it. Visit with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pray, beg and don't leave til you receive the graces of peace, forgiveness and joy.


God Bless You




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