Colosians 1:24-2:3
Psalms 62:6-7, 9
Luke 6:6-11

I like to think of myself as organized and ‘together’ but even I know that really isn’t true.  My constant struggle each day to fit 30 hours of activities into 24 means that I am always on the run, always slightly behind and always with just a few more things left on my To Do list.

Recently, I came home after a very long day and confronted my beloved teenaged daughter elbow-deep in some project in a very messy kitchen.  I was tired and cranky and found myself standing in the kitchen calling her to task for the mess, but knowing deep inside that I was letting her have it because of bad day I had endured.

She stood quietly and I started to leave the kitchen, then I stopped.  I wasn’t being fair and I wanted to apologize.  I glanced at her stricken face and knew I had hurt her and I felt terrible.  I told her I was sorry and hugged her and suddenly I found myself crying in the arms of my 16-year-old, being comforted by her as I had comforted her so many times.  I told her about my day and found myself laughing through tears at the absurdity of it.  It was only when I was willing to let my daughter see me in all of my flaws that we were able to have a graced moment of love, forgiveness and comfort.

That seems to be the message in today’s gospel.  A man with a withered hand is called forward by Jesus in the synagogue.  “Stretch out your hand,” Jesus says and his hand was restored.  By taking the part of himself in the greatest need of healing to Jesus, he was healed.

This is the call in today’s gospel for us too.  We are invited to offer to Jesus the parts of us that most need healing, his loving touch, his radiating love.  It is only then, when we are willing to be so honest with Jesus, that we can be truly healed.  It means standing up in front of others and showing our weaknesses.  It means turning those flaws and imperfections over to God.

When I admit to my daughter that I am wrong, when I break down and allow her to comfort me, I am brought into a loving moment of beauty, grace and love.  When we offer Jesus our flaws, and ask for forgiveness and love, we are whole again.  What a wonderful gift awaits us as we hold out our withered hands, looking for love, waiting to be healed.