Commentary on the Gospel of
“Stretch out your hand.” It’s a simple command to the man, but amazing just the same. His hand has been paralyzed and only through Jesus’ healing is he able to stretch it out and make use of it once again. Jesus commands us in the same way. We too are called to stretch out our hands.
We are invited to stretch out our hands and share what we have with those who are in need. We are called to stretch out our hands to help others carry their burdens. We stretch out our hands to offer welcome and friendship to those who are lonely or marginalized.
Like Jesus, our efforts to stretch out our hands may meet with opposition. It is all too easy to simply ignore those in need or to decide that today is not a good day to help. Our actions may challenge or shame others, arousing their anger. In such cases, we turn to the example of Jesus who stretched out his hands on the cross to save us.
