Our Withered Hands and Souls

Jesus is again under the scrutiny of the Pharisees who observe him closely in order to catch him in an infraction of the Law, as a man with a withered hand is brought to his attention.  Yes, of course he cures the man, the Sabbath notwithstanding, and yes, the Pharisees, in their hardness of heart, take offense at his deliberate disregard for the law for the greater good, "immediately [taking] counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death." (Mk 3:6), with, apparently, no regard for the need of the cured man nor his joy.
It's easy to chide or even contemn the Pharisees, but, as always, we must look at ourselves first.  Have the events of the past year "hardened" and "withered" our hearts and souls?  Have the violence, physical and verbal, on the world's stages and political podiums seeped into our souls, made us intolerant and separated us, at least temporarily from those whose opinions differ from ours?  Do we find ourselves less charitable to those in need, citing our past record of having gone "beyond the call of duty" to help others, and now needing a "break"? Have we callously discarded those daily mailed requests for feeding the hungry and poor of the country or world?  How much in need are we of Jesus for healing our withered hands and souls before we proceed too far into this new year?  Jesus, you who defied the LAW to cure on the Sabbath, only you can heal my withered hands and soul. Hear my prayer and do so now!
Bro. Rene