“…which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” (Lk. 6:6-11).
When reflecting on Luke 6:6-11 from my perspective as a young woman navigating faith, relationships, and life's complexities, I find this passage both challenging and inspiring. In this story, Jesus enters a synagogue on the Sabbath and notices a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees, who are also present, watch Him closely, not out of concern for the man but because they are waiting to see if Jesus will "break the rules" by healing on the Sabbath. Despite knowing their intentions, Jesus chooses to act. He calls the man forward and heals him, asking, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
This passage challenges my understanding of bravery and compassion in a world that often prioritizes rules, reputation, and appearance over genuine love and kindness. Jesus isn’t concerned about what people think of Him, even though He knows they are out to get Him. Instead, He focuses on doing what is right. This makes me think deeply about my own life—about how often I let the fear of judgment or the need to conform to social norms stop me from acting according to my convictions.
I wonder how I would have reacted if I were in that synagogue. Would I have been like the Pharisees, more concerned about appearances and traditions than the suffering right before me? Or would I have had the courage to support Jesus, even if it meant standing out or facing criticism? Like the Pharisees, our world often values conformity over compassion. We see this in schools, workplaces, and even churches, where people focus more on following rules or fitting into a specific mold than genuinely loving and supporting one another.
Jesus’ actions challenge me to think about living authentically as a person of faith. He chose to heal the man not to defy the Pharisees but because He knew that love and compassion should always come first. This makes me reflect on my priorities. How often do I hesitate to reach out to someone different from me or to speak up for what’s right because I’m afraid of how it will look or what people will say? Jesus shows that real courage is not the absence of fear but the choice to act in love despite it.
This passage also speaks to the importance of seeing people for who they are rather than through rules or expectations. The Pharisees were so focused on catching Jesus breaking a law that they missed the miracle unfolding before them. They couldn’t see the man with the withered hand as needy; they only saw him as a pawn in their game. This challenges me to consider how I view others. Am I looking at people through the narrow lens of my biases or expectations? Or am I willing to see them as Jesus does—people deserving of compassion, dignity, and grace?
Ultimately, this passage from Luke is a powerful call to prioritize love over rules, people over appearances, and courage over comfort. It encourages me to examine my heart and life, to see where I might be like the Pharisees—clinging to my sense of rightness or fear of judgment rather than stepping out in faith and compassion. It challenges me to be more like Jesus, to look for the person in need and respond with love, regardless of the consequences. It’s a reminder that following Jesus isn’t about playing it safe but boldly loving others, even when it’s complex or misunderstood. And in that, there is both great challenge and remarkable freedom.
Author: Lady Emilie Gannyi
St. Monica Court #347, Chicago, Illinois Clara Ann Martin Chapter 39, Gary, Indiana
Church ministries and Organizations/ Club affiliation:
• Saint Josephine Bakhita (SJB) Parish Member
• Member of the SJB Parish Council
• Acolyte
• Extraordinary minister of communion
• Member of the SJB Social Justice Committee
• Junior Daughter Counselor, St. Monica Court 347
• Faithful Scribe, Clara Ann Martin Chapter #39
• 3rd Vice President of the SJB Women’s Club
• Member of the SJB Latin Club
• SJB Technology committee co-chair
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