The Poison of Hatred

Monday 6th September 2021. Read Colossians 1:24-2:3, Psalm 54 and Luke 6:6-11

“When he entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him.” (Luke 6:6-7)

The word ‘hatred’ can be defined as a “deep and emotional extreme dislike. Hatred is often associated with feelings of anger, disgust, and a disposition towards hostility.”  Once the Scribes and Pharisees allowed this poison to enter their hearts, they found it difficult to appreciate anything good in Jesus Christ.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus was in a Synagogue and there was a man there with a withered hand. Beckoning on the man to come out in the open view of all, Jesus asked a simple question: “Is it against the law to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath day?”

The Scribes and Pharisees must have been ashamed of themselves. They couldn’t answer a word. Jesus said to the man: “Stretch forth your hand.” And instantly, the man was healed.

Hatred is deadly. The feeling of hatred makes you blind to the good in others. Hatred makes you criticize everything in everybody. Hatred takes away your happiness. The scribes and Pharisees could not rejoice at the healing of the man with a withered hand instead they started plotting to kill Jesus. Hatred literally turns us into little devils.

In the first reading, we see how Paul reacts to the suffering and hardships he endured at the hands of people who simply hated him for proclaiming Christ. He says “I REJOICE in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” Are you a victim of hatred? Have the same attitude as Paul. Do not hate them back. Rejoice rather in your sufferings. 

Let us pray:  Lord Jesus, help me to love you above everything else and to love my neighbor as myself, Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 23 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Colossians 1:24-2:3, Psalm 54 and Luke 6:6-11).