Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Silence can be a sound that speaks volumes. One famous philosopher said it in a different way. “If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice.” Silence can send many messages depending on the context. In today’s gospel silence has the power of almost adding another character to the narrative.
This story from Mark is set in the synagogue. In the story Jesus is faced with a decision about whether to heal on the Sabbath. There he encounters a man with a withered hand. It was a trap. If Jesus healed the man, the Pharisees could say he violated the law of Sabbath. If he didn’t heal the man, it would show Jesus as not being compassionate. Jesus senses their thoughts and their hardness of heart.
Do we recognize the hardness of heart in others? More importantly, are we aware of our own hearts of stone? What often is easy to see in others is more difficult to recognize in ourselves.
In the story Jesus invites the man to stretch out his hand. As the man did so, his hand was restored. The Pharisees had witnessed a miracle. Instead of the religious men praising God, they showed the opposite by their silence.
What does our silence show? Does it build up or tear down? Do we give people the silent treatment to show them disapproval or disrespect? Notice how Jesus deals with the silence in today’s reading. He recognizes the contempt and pushes forward undeterred. There are many Saints, including Vincent, who remind us that like Jesus we are called to persevere for what is right and just.
Lord we thank you for the many ways you draw us to Yourself. Help us to recognize that no silence or any spoken word can ever keep us from Your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Michael Montgomery