30 week in ordinary time
Gospel: Lk 14: 1-6
On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.
NO SUFFERING UNDER THE LAW: Jesus cannot allow a human being to suffer under the weight of law, so he makes a point. If your son, or even an ox falls into a ditch, you will go out of your way to rescue it, even if it is on a Sabbath. Jesus desires that we discard the outlook and attitude that subjects human beings under the heavy yoke of the law. Let your love of the neighbour not turn cold in your eagerness to be law abiding. Let us be sensitive to human moments of despair, hopelessness and depression. At such moments, we need to assist those who are facing anxiety. The measure of action should be goodness, steered by love of God and of neighbour. Let us follow the example of Jesus and make a difference to the world.
PRAYER: God our Father, may we continue your acts of love and charity and build a united human family.
*****
JESUS FULFILLS THE LAW: Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfil it. As a teacher, Jesus realizes that the Jews misinterpreted the law and used it to punish other. These laws had many don’ts than do’s. Nevertheless, laws are for human dignity not for diminishing it. Jesus cures the man suffering from dropsy to correct the wrong notion of Jewish observance of the Sabbath. He reminds them that if the law of mercy holds good for an animal, ox or an ass fallen into a well, it surely must hold even more for human beings not only for our own relations but to the poor, the sick, the needy and the isolated. The Sabbath rest should be observed from the heart not just superficially. It is always right to do good on the Sabbath rather than do evil. A man cured on a Sabbath has a reason to thank and praise the merciful God who gives importance to human dignity and health. Before we apply any rule or law, Jesus calls us to view how it is beneficial to the human race. Observance of rules and regulations alone, does not assist our human growth. We have to internalize and live the laws.
DAILY GOSPEL 