All The Time

The WORD today reminds me that God is not bound by laws and traditions. He is God all the time. 

They say the only constant thing in this world is change. Nothing is permanent. Work ends at a certain time. Even 24 hour operations change shifts. Services have limitations. After a certain time or period, we cannot expect the same level and quality of service. However, God is not like that. 

God is God all the time. 

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, a day during that time where there are 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. He is God all the time. 

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. He allowed them to break the law to also show that he is God all the time, no matter what the situation may be. 

How do I see God? Do I know and realize his love and power? What are my concerns right now? How do I respond to these? What is He reminding me today? 

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. And may we always remember that God is God all the time, and is always watching over us and protecting us.  Amen.

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. Sorry for the times I forget. Sorry for limiting you. Sorry for thinking there are things you cannot help me with. Increase my faith. Lord, as I work for you, help me to always put things in perspective. May I not abuse you, your love, and your power. And may I always remember your great love and presence. In a special way I lift up my mother who is celebrating her birthday today. Always remind her of your love and protection. Continue to bless her as she is a blessing to others. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
• September 4, 2021
• SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

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Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 436

Reading I

Col 1:21-23

Brothers and sisters:
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

54:3-4, 6 and 8

R.    (6) God himself is my help.
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.

Alleluia

Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.

Gospel

Lk 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
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.”