Debates about the Sabbath

Today's Reflections

Debates about the Sabbath 

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Lk 6:6-11

⁶On [a] sabbath [Jesus] went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. ⁷The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. ⁸But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. ⁹Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” ¹⁰Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. ¹¹But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

Reflection:

Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath? On the Sabbath Jews have to abstain from work to honor God who rested on the seventh day from his work of creation. For the scribes and Pharisees, healing is considered work. They are always on the lookout if Jesus will do something on the sacred day so they can have a reason to accuse him, to discredit him.

Jesus indeed does something, and it is something good. He cures the man with a withered hand. In the process he clarifies the spirit of Sabbath. It is to manifest God’s goodness, not to limit or to hide it, by doing good works for the well-being of people. The Sabbath is meant to benefit people and not to oppress them. Jesus has saved a man from the bondage of deformity. By making him whole again, Jesus fulfills the creative plan of God.

How do you spend Sundays?

Do you make sure that your family is healthy

and kicking on the Lord’s Day

so as to enjoy it profoundly together?