The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011717.cfm)
reminds me how powerful God is, that he is not bound by human laws and
traditions.
There
are a lot of policies at work. Sometimes, just when you are expecting something
new, upon checking existing policies, you will find our that there are
restrictions that prevent you from getting it. Good thing this does not happen
with God.
In the gospel, we see people
questioning the actions of Jesus and his disciples. They were picking up and
eating grain on a Sabbath, something prohibited because no work should be done
on Sabbath. Then Jesus tells them that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
The Law
should serve man, not man serving the law.
God is God even on Sabbath,
where there are a lot of laws prohibiting a lot of things. God does not follow
man made laws – he is the source of the law. God
is not bound by our traditions and laws. His
power is not limited by anyone or anything.
However, this should not be
abused. The law should serve man is not an
excuse for breaking the law. Not following traffic signs when there
are no police or other vehicles is still wrong. Stealing from the rich and
giving to the poor is still wrong. God
should never be an excuse from breaking the law. What God is telling
us is that we should put things in perspective and respect the law. Even Jesus
followed the law when he paid taxes. He allowed his disciples to break the law
in the gospel not to show his power, but to show that life is greater than any law. Life is more
sacred, and in that situation, protecting life by eating is more sacred than
keeping a law which prohibits work to be done.
May we pray for a discerning
heart so as not to abuse God’s power and Word, while bravely doing his work
with and for him. Let us remember God's power and love.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for the reminder of your
great love and great power. Lord, I pray that I would always remember that your
love and your power is not limited by anything – by laws and traditions and by
circumstances around me. Thank you also for reminding me how precious life is –
that protecting it is above any man made law. Lord, as I work for you, help me
to always put things in perspective. May I not abuse you, your love, and your
power. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
January 17, 2017
Lectionary: 312
Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
Reading 1 Heb 6:10-20
God is not unjust so as to overlook your work
and the love you have demonstrated for his name
by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.
We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness
for the fulfillment of hope until the end,
so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who,
through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.
When God made the promise to Abraham,
since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you.
And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.
Now, men swear by someone greater than themselves;
for them an oath serves as a guarantee
and puts an end to all argument.
So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise
an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose,
he intervened with an oath,
so that by two immutable things,
in which it was impossible for God to lie,
we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged
to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.
This we have as an anchor of the soul,
sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,
where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner,
becoming high priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Eph 1:17-18
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 2:23-28
his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.
At this the Pharisees said to him,
"Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?"
He said to them,
"Have you never read what David did
when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?
How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest
and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,
and shared it with his companions?"
Then he said to them,
"The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
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