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 the other way around.
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. It is still wrong to Not follow traffic
signs when there are no police or other vehicles. 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.
Father God,
Thank you
for today. Thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for another weekend.
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
weekend!
In
Christ,
-g-
September 9, 2017
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Lectionary: 436
Reading 1COL1:21-23
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds;
God has now reconciled you
in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death,
to present you holy, without blemish,
and irreproachable before him,
provided that you persevere in the faith,
firmly grounded, stable,
and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard,
which has been preached to every creature under heaven,
of which I, Paul, am a minister.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 54:3-4, 6 AND 8
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. God himself is my help.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. God himself is my help.
AlleluiaJN 14:6
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 6:1-5
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
"Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?"
Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath."
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