Opened

Jesus saw a need and he acted.

I saw this in action a few weeks ago when a woman fell and hit her head hard against a shelf at coffee shop.

All the people in the shop turned to assess the situation and did whatever they could to aid the woman and those who stepped in to minister to her.

There was a need and they acted.

It is only after the fact when questions fly…did they do all they could?  What if they did something to harm the woman?  Who is responsible for the bill?  Will someone be sued?

In the Gospel, the Elders of the Church want to argue and find fault. They were letting the law hold them back from being compassionate and caring.

I think this ‘fear’ is still alive today.

Though in the coffee shop, there were people who came to help, however, how many times have you passed by a person in need and did not offer aid?

I am guilty of seeing a need and being fearful to help. 

In the situation of the woman who fell, my instinct was to step back because I don’t have medical training and she was bleeding.

However, I felt the need to act because I was standing right beside her.

I put aside fear of getting her blood on my hands and the fear of the exposure of COVID.

This scripture brought this situation back to my mind.  It gave me some insight into Jesus’ actions and how when you see a need, you must act, despite any consequences. 

The black and white of BOTH situations is that a person was in need and someone came to fulfill the need.

The commandments tell us to love others.

Jesus gave his life.

These beliefs give me the strength to act to fulfill the need.  They are enough.

When you see a need, act on it. Jesus is the ultimate role model.