January 19, 2022, Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time-C

1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51

Psalm 144

Mark 3:1-6

…grieved at their hardness of heart.  Mark 3:5

Lord, Mark describes your reaction to the trap the Pharisees set for you in the synagogue that day. They used a poor man’s disability in an attempt to expose you as a fraud before the people. You could have healed that man’s hand in private or on a day other than the Sabbath. But you exposed their hatred, envy and jealously before all by restoring the man’s hand right in front of all. From that day on you were a condemned man on death row. The Pharisees were made blind by their jealousy of you. Their hearts were hardened by their hatred and that angered and grieved you. Hardness of heart is a spiritual disease that keeps us from growing in faith. You desire none of the Father’s children to reject you or suffer separation from him. You would go on to die for even those who condemned you. Lord, remove any Pharisee in my heart. Bless me with the eyes of faith to see you as the savior of all of us. With your grace I can.  May I never cause you anger or grieve your heart.  Amen.