Everyone has a “withered” part that we like to keep hidden away. Maybe it is an old grudge we can’t let go of, a prejudice that we inherited from our family, a secret shame for something we have done or something done to us, an irrational fear of what the future holds. When Jesus was going to heal the man with a withered hand he demanded that he not hide his wound any longer. He said to him,“Stretch out your hand.” That is our story as well. In order for Jesus’ healing power to work in our lives we must be willing to stop covering up those ugly or unwelcome parts of ourselves. By bringing them into the light, the Lord of Light can heal.
