I pause for a moment and think of the love and the grace that God showers on me: I am created in the image and likeness of God; I am God's dwelling-place.

Lord, You created me to live in freedom

May Your Holy Spirit guide me to follow You freely.

Instill in my heart a desire

To know and love you more each day.

I ask how I am within myself today? Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form?

If any of these characteristics apply, can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me?

Mark 3:1-6

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Help me, Lord, to notice how you are speaking to me.

Some thoughts on today's scripture:

What is your withered hand? The bit of yourself you don't want God to know about? God knows and wants you to bring that out into the middle of your relationship. God offers healing, strength. Nothing in any of us is unknown to God; we are each totally loved.

Jesus' anger ‘got him going'. He did not focus it on himself. He was angry because of their hardness of heart towards the sick man. His anger came from his love and urgent desire to heal and to bring us into a real relationship with God. His anger flowed into compassion for the sick man and he was healed

How has God's Word moved me? Has it left me cold? Has it consoled me or moved me to act in a new way?

I imagine Jesus standing or sitting beside me, I turn and share my feelings with him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.