Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Oratory provides Scripture references and original reflections. It does not republish full copyrighted lectionary readings.

Monday, September 7, 2026

Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: 1 Corinthians 5:1–8; Psalm 5; Luke 6:6–11

“Is it lawful to do good…or to do evil?”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus enters the synagogue and sees a man with a withered right hand. The scribes and Pharisees watch Jesus closely, hoping to find a reason to accuse Him. Jesus knows their intentions, yet He does not allow their hostility to prevent Him from doing what is good.

He calls the man forward and asks, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Then He says, “Stretch out your hand.” The man responds, and his hand is restored.

The man’s healing reveals the heart of God: God’s law is ordered toward life, mercy, and restoration. Jesus does not treat the man as a problem or overlook him because others are watching. He sees his need and acts with compassion.

The Gospel also challenges the hardness of the scribes and Pharisees. They witness a work of mercy, yet they become enraged. Their concern for condemning Jesus becomes greater than their joy over another person’s healing. This warns us that religious observance can become empty when it is separated from love.

The first reading gives a related warning. St. Paul tells the Corinthians that sin must not be tolerated or allowed to spread through the community. “A little yeast leavens all the dough.” He calls them to remove the old yeast of malice and wickedness and to live as a new creation through “sincerity and truth,” because Christ, the Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed.

These readings hold together two important truths: sin must be confronted honestly, and people must be approached with the desire for salvation and restoration. Christian correction is not about pride, humiliation, or condemnation. It must seek the person’s spiritual good.

The Responsorial Psalm gives us the proper posture: “Lead me in your justice, Lord.” We are not asked to rely on our own judgment or righteousness. We ask God to lead us, protect us from arrogance and deceit, and help us take refuge in Him.

The Alleluia reminds us that discipleship begins by listening: “My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus knows us completely, including our weaknesses. He calls us to hear His voice and respond with trust.

What God may be saying today

“Do not hide the wounded part of your life from Me. Come forward. Stretch out your hand. I want to restore you. At the same time, do not allow sin to grow quietly within you. Let Me lead you in justice, sincerity, and truth.”

Questions for prayer What wounded or weakened area of my life do I need to place before Jesus? Is there any “old yeast”—malice, pride, dishonesty, or resentment—that I need to surrender? Do I rejoice when others receive mercy, or do I judge them? Where is Jesus asking me to do good today? Prayer

Lord Jesus, You know me completely and see every wounded place within me. Give me the humility to come before You honestly and to stretch out my hand in faith. Remove from my heart whatever is sinful, harmful, or contrary to Your truth. Keep me from pride and harsh judgment. Lead me in Your justice, and teach me to choose what brings life, healing, and salvation. Because You are the Lamb who was sacrificed for me, help me live today with sincerity and truth. Amen.

Daily resolution: Listen for the Lord’s voice before reacting today, and choose one concrete action that brings healing or life to another person.