Monday 11 September 2023

Today is Monday 11 September, in the 23rd week of Ordinary time.

Matt Maher and Paul Zach with The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘Take It Easy’, from the album ‘Sanctuary Songs’, created in collaboration with our friends at Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. What could you take from this song today?


Take it easy, easy
God already loves you completely
Take it easy, easy
Rest in the shade of his wings
Lay down your burdens and rest for a while
The shepherd who seeks you is gentle and kind
There's nothing to pay for and nothing to earn
And nothing you have to become
Take it easy, easy
God already loves you completely
Take it easy, easy
Rest in the shade of his wings
Lay down the scales where you weigh out your life
The measures are empty just leave them behind
The distance between his two hands are enough
To tell you the depths of his love
Take it easy, easy
God already loves you completely
Take it easy, easy
Rest in the shade of his wings
Lay down the armor you brought to the fight
Lay down your weapons and lay down your strife
God's on your side and he won't let you go
He already loves who you are
Won't ask you to be something more
Take it easy, easy
God already loves you completely
Take it easy, easy
Rest in the shade of his wings
Take it easy, easy
God already loves you completely
Take it easy, easy
Rest in the shade of his wings
Rest in the shade of his wings
Rest in the shade of his wings

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.


Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

“The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him” … How do you imagine this moment? Look carefully at their expressions, gestures and body language…


“They were filled with fury”. Reflect for a moment on where their fury might be coming from… what do you think might have been residing in their hearts for this reaction to have come forth?


Now listen as the story is read once more. What answer can you make to Jesus’ question about “doing good or harm” on the Sabbath? What might it invite you to do today?

Finally, see if you can sum up all that you are feeling just now in the form of a prayer to God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.