*REFLECTION FOR MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME* *YEAR II* 

Caring for the poor and the disadvantaged is central in today's readings together with living a more responsible life by "getting rid old yeast of evil and wickedness, and make yourselves into a completely new batch of unleavened bread of sincerity and truth as you are meant to be." 

   St. Paul in the first reading (1 Cor 5: 1-8) confronts the Corinthians for allowing evil to thrive in their midst. He condemned the sexual immorality of a man having relations with his father's wife. Is there any part of my behaviour in life that needs esponging? Am I able to condemn the wrong things in my life and accept the unconditional love and forgiveness of God for me? 

   In the gospel (Luke 6: 6-11), Jesus, not minding the evil intentions of the Scribes and Pharisees, called out the man with withered hand to stretch out his hand and be healed on a Sabbath day. By setting this man free, not only will he participate fully in the joy of the Good News as proclaimed by Christ, but will witness to it. 

   Dear friends, we are called today to stretch out our hands constantly to be healed and to heal. According to St. Ambrose (337-397 AD), "You who think that you have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help your neighbour, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins". 

   I pray as we journey in life today, we will not fold our hands in the presence of need. As we stretch out our hands to heal, may the withered parts of our own life be healed and restored, for "in God alone is my safety and my glory" (Ps. 62: 8). Have a restoration-full day!