The WORD today reminds me how powerful God is, that he is not bound by human laws and traditions.

There are a lot of policies in the workplace. 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. In the first reading, we see how powerful God is. He is powerful and loving. 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.

Am I someone that is very bookish and follow everything by the letter? Do I give more importance to following the laws and rules instead of doing what is good and right? What is God telling 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. Let us remember God's power and love.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder of your great love and great power. Lord, sorry for the times I am distracted. Sorry for losing my focus in you. 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-

Daily Readings

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbott

Lectionary: 312

Reading 1

Heb 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:
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

111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c

R.   (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
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

See Eph 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,
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."

My Simple Reflection

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Lord of Sabbath