Homily for Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary time

Jesus, as we have just heard, proclaims that works of love and mercy may—and should— be done on the Sabbath. He Himself does God’s work on the Sabbath by healing the withered hand of a man in the synagogue. Yet, irrationally, some religious and political leaders began to plot together to destroy Jesus for doing something they considered to be sinful. This story takes place in only the third chapter of Mark’s gospel, but it points ahead to the end of the gospel story. It was because Jesus was dedicated to doing God’s work among the poor and the marginalized—and put that work ahead of the letter of the law—that He was crucified.

Jesus’ life shows us that good works do not always bring their fitting reward in this life. It is an odd enigma, but one that is often true to life: good can provoke an evil response from some people. The goodness of some brings out the evil in others. Yet, Jesus teaches us that goodness is its own reward. He Himself persisted in the good work that His Father gave Him to do, regardless of the harsh response of the authorities.

Hopefully, we try to be faithful to what is right and good, not because of any praise it might bring us, but because it is what God wants us to do. Let us pray that we may persist in being faithful to our calling to share in the work of Jesus of bringing compassion, healing, and life to others, regardless of the cost. +