In today's reading from Luke's gospel, Jesus infuriates the Pharisees and Scribes by healing on the sabbath. "Oh! What a horrible violation of the holy law!" "What a slap in the face to all that we hold as sacred." "Surely something must be done about such a sin!" "We may even have to have him killed!" These were probably some of the comments that were heard that day.
How blind they were! The leaders had become so wrapped up in observing their own laws that they completely forgot the core teaching of the law: love God and neighbor. What the Lord did was a supreme act of Love. He gave freely of Himself in love to heal a man. He was simply obeying the law through His action.
Sadly, things are not different today in many cases. But we as followers of the Most High God and Lord Jesus Christ have only one option and that is to Love God above all else and others as ourselves, regardless of what our "laws" say. To do otherwise is to sin. So go ahead, anger the modern day Pharisees and “heal” on the Sabbath (or any other time you feel called to do so)! It's the Christian thing to do.
Now, on to tomorrow’s feast!
Now, on to tomorrow’s feast!
Happy birthday, Blessed Mother!Have you noticed that as the Church year progresses, we become more aware of the careful attention to detail in God's plan for bringing salvation to humanity? This past December 8th we celebrated the Feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception, the very start of her life within her mother's womb. God willed that from the time of her conception she was to be pure and sinless, a vessel worthy of bearing God's Son, His Christ, into this world in her own human flesh. Tomorrow we celebrate the actual birth of this unique person to whom God had granted remission of human sin from the very outset of her life.
Her uniqueness is further demonstrated at the Angel Gabriel’s Annunciation to her of God's call. She responded, "yes" with a total trust possible only from one who had developed through prayer a deep knowledge of and love for God. Her affirmative reply, in the context of her day, could expose her to great danger. Not only might Joseph, to whom she was espoused, bring her great shame by claiming she had betrayed him and so broken their betrothal; but should he publicly reveal her condition, she could be put to death for a presumed serious sin.
However, God had also prepared Joseph's heart to be kind, merciful and forgiving. He too was a man deeply imbued by God's love and compassion; for those who are close to God and who have seen their own sins in God's holy light, are not judgmental, nor vengeful. His faith in God enabled him to believe the dream that revealed the truth of Mary's condition. The sincere, humble and single-hearted lovers of God are not prone to making rash decisions that bring disgrace or harm to others.
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