Debates about the Sabbath

Today's Reflections

                                                                          

Debates about the Sabbath 

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Lk 6:6-11

⁶On another 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:

Jesus realized their intentions. Many of us refrain from doing good when we see that we risk being criticized. We take refuge in “prudence.” Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J., once wittingly remarked, “Now there remain these three: faith, hope, and charity. And the greatest of these is PRUDENCE.”

In the Gospel, Jesus does not let the danger of his being criticized prevent him from doing good to the man with the withered hand. He cures the man in plain sight of all and reaps the whirlwind: his enemies become enraged and discuss together what they may do to Jesus.

When people are afraid to do good, one courageous act might give them courage. Seek the will of God. Do what is right and good for people. Like a pebble dropped in the middle of a pond, your courageous act will send ripples to others, as did Christ’s.

“The only real betrayal of life is the refusal to love,

for it is this refusal that gives evil a chance to grow”

(Morton Kelsey).