1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 / Mark 3:1-6
Nowadays, medical science is able to identify illnesses and physical problems and give them names so as to be able to generally categorize the affliction or the syndrome.
So we know what is a flu, or a stroke, or Parkinsons, or cancer or high blood pressure.
But when the gospel mentioned about the man with the withered hand, it may not be very clear as to what the affliction was.
Nonetheless, it would be enough to say that with a withered hand, its function is hampered or at worse rendered ineffective.
But what grieved Jesus was that when He asked the people about the purpose of the law, they were silent. The gospel described them as so obstinate.
It was like as if they had withered minds and hearts, to the extent that they can't even give a reply to that simple question. The answer was obvious, but Jesus wanted them to say it in order for them to hear it for themselves. But they remained silent.
If a withered hand is ineffective, then what about a withered heart. A withered heart obviously is not functioning anymore. But it can mean that it is withered with fear and anxiety.
In the 1st reading, David the young shepherd boy was to battle the giant Philistine warrior Goliath.
It would be easy meat for Goliath if David's heart was withered with fear. But David said this: The Lord who rescued me from the claws of lion and bear will rescue me from the power of that Philistine.
And with a heart of faith and with confidence in the power of the Lord, the hand of David wielded a sling and stone that brought down the Philistine.
May our hearts also be filled with faith and with confidence in the power of the Lord and our hands will do the mighty works of God.