love => courage => crucified
"The scribes and Pharisees were on the watch to see if He would perform a cure on the Sabbath so that they could find a charge against Him." —Luke 6:7
Jesus could have healed the man with a withered hand on a day other than the Sabbath or in private. Yet Jesus refused to be intimidated and manipulated by His enemies. In fact, Jesus publicly displayed this healing on the Sabbath (Lk 6:8ff). As expected, Jesus' opponents "went crazy" (see Lk 6:11) and eventually had Him crucified.
Jesus is courageous, fearless, and confrontational. He did not compromise His principles, even if He had to suffer severely. Jesus is courageous and crucified because He loves those with withered hands and withered spirits. Jesus, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), wants the healing and salvation of all people (1 Tm 2:4) so much that He freely chose death on the cross — even for the salvation of His enemies.
Let us be like Jesus, or we will be one of Jesus' enemies. Let us suffer with Jesus, or we will inflict suffering on Him (see Heb 6:6) and His disciples. Let us love enough to be courageous and crucified.
Prayer: Father, make me more like Jesus every day.
Promise: "Even now I find my joy in the suffering I endure for you. In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the Church." —Col 1:24
Praise: Daily reading of the Eucharistic Scriptures has greatly deepened Robert's understanding and faith.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 18, 2015
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.