“Jesus was angry as he looked at them, but at the same time he felt sorry them, for they were so stubborn and wrong.” (Mk 3:5)

“Jesus was angry as he looked at them, but at the same time he felt sorry them, for they were so stubborn and wrong.” (Mk 3:5)

Today’s Passages: Mk 3:1-6; Heb 7:1-3, 15-17

Meditation: Today’s meditation verse rightly manifests Jesus’ human face on a Sabbath day. It is actually the continuation of yesterday’s reflection. All the four gospels obviously give their own accounts on Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath day: a man with a paralyzed hand (Mt 12:9-14); a man with an evil spirit (Mk 1:21-28); a crippled woman (Lk 13:10-17); and a paralyzed man at Bethsaida (Jn 5:1-17).

Most of the time of these healing, we find the Pharisees or the teachers of the Law making their attempts to question Jesus for the violation of the Law or going out and planning to do something against Jesus. In today’s passage also we find some of the people present there watching him closely to see whether he would heal the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath day. However, Jesus takes these opportunities to teach them about the spirit of the Sabbath day.

We focus today specially on Jesus’ reaction to the response of the people present there. “Jesus was angry as he looked at them, but at the same time he felt sorry them, for they were so stubborn and wrong.” (Mk 3:5) The real mix of the human and the divine is unveiled here. He cannot keep his anger for long for he has come not to judge and condemn the world but to redeem. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back.” (Is 54:7)

Because of this nature of Jesus, the book of Hebrews plainly calls him the eternal high priest and says, “Therefore, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” (Heb 4:14, 15)

In the second reading we hear, “He was made a priest, not by human rules and regulations, but through a power of a life which has no end.” (Heb 7:16) It is about the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ too. St. John Maria Vianney defines priesthood as “the love of the heart of Jesus.” Though the ministries of priests reflect and mirror Jesus who is the king, prophet and shepherd, the imagery of Jesus the good shepherd should shine in him than the other two. 

             

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Lord, let this word, “My son, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you. Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son,” (Heb 12:5) be an anointing in each one of us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Have a blissful Wednesday!