The Catholic Calendar for Monday, September 10, 2001
Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Colossians 1:24--2:3
Psalm 62:6-7,9
Luke 6:6-11
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
"The Scribes and the Pharisees were watching....
that they might find how to accuse him." Luke 6:7 (Douay-Rheims)
Jesus enters a synagogue, a place of worship, a place where God
reigns. There he finds a man with a withered hand and a large number
of men with withered souls. All of these gathered around Him to see
if He would violate the Law of the Sabbath and do work.
They are, in fact, there merely to see if they can find something to
hold Jesus culpable for. Jesus knows this and faces them asking them
if it is lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath. These men of
withered soul know only the absolute letter of the law and so do not
answer. For the letter of the law states that nothing may be done,
but to answer in that way would have cast everything they believed
into doubt in the eyes of those around them, and nothing mattered as
much to these men as having power among the people around them.
Jesus heals the man, sending a strong message. The sabbath is not
about observing the letter of the law, but observing the needs of
others and meeting them. The power of the sabbath comes from love
that challenges the conventions of the time. It comes from standing
squarely on the side of God and not seeking ourselves. It stands in
fulfilling the law without scruples.
The power of the sabbath is the joy of Christians. Joy and Sabbath
are indeed one thing. Jesus tells us elsewhere that the Sabbath was
made for Man, not Man for the Sabbath. It is a special grace-filled
gift for us. Therefore, cast away all the scruples that keep you
bound, and use the sabbath to reach out in love to someone who needs
your help, your attention, or your love. Extend Christ's joyous
participation in life to those who feel marginalized, and you will be
making Christ's sacrifice more meaningful for people who may not
truly understand it.
- JuandelaCruz TOC ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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