In a Christian community - or any community - setting a good example is important. People imitate the examples they see, but unfortunately these are sometimes very negative ones. Paul was extremely upset at the behaviour of the man in the story, especially since he was afraid that others would be led astray. All behaviour affects others in one way or another. A little yeast transforms the entire lump of dough - that describes perfectly the power that we all have for good or evil by way of example. Gandhi once said 'Become the change you want to see in the world'. If we don't like what we see around us, let us become a beacon of hope and light by the way we live our own lives.

What could be wrong with healing someone? Nothing - unless it was on the Sabbath. The rules had been broken. But Jesus always focused on the need and suffering of the individual, as well as the divine requirement to do good in all places and at all times. The rules are there to help us not to make our lives more difficult or unbearable. We must not make a god out of rules and traditions. Unfortunately this is a tendency in all religions, and when this happens, the spiritual vitality and power of a religion begins to die. We can always ask what is best for this particular person at this moment of his or her life - what do they need most. The one rule that must never be violated is that of compassion and mercy, and Jesus never failed to show these qualities in his dealings with people.