Monday, 9 September 2024. Readings: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Ps. 5:5-7,12, Luke 6:6-11
“I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)
There is a story about a housemaid who mistakenly broke an expensive piece of art while cleaning the sitting room one day. She almost lost her job in the process, but for the timely intervention of her parents, who pleaded for a second chance. The house owner warned her never to touch anything in the sitting room again, and she was determined to keep this law.
- One day, the housemaid was home alone when she noticed the smell of smoke emanating from a faulty extension box beside the television in the sitting room. But instead of going there to disconnect it, she was bent on obeying the law given to her. She continued her duty in the kitchen while all the electronic devices in the sitting room caught fire. Could this be our attitude to the commandments of God?
- In today’s Gospel passage, we see how Jesus silenced his detractors bent on finding fault against him by all means. There was a man with a withered hand right there, and it was a Sabbath day. The law states: “Obey the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” But this law had been stretched over time to imply: “Do not work on the Sabbath Day, not even to cook your meal.”
- Jesus was well aware of the law and knew the implication of healing this man on the Sabbath day. Jesus also realised there was one law that the Pharisees were unaware of: the law of doing good or, better put, the Law of Love. So, Jesus asked them, “Is it lawful to do good or harm, to save life or to destroy it on Sabbath day?”
- Sometimes, in our hot pursuit of justice, we forget the law of love. We forget that as much as God would be pleased with our strict obedience to his laws, there is no law greater than loving our neighbour as ourselves. Like these Pharisees, sometimes we become interested in certain persons not because we like them but to find something we can use against them. Have you become an accuser of the brethren who accuses others day and night before God? (Cf. Revelations 12:10). Rather than point fingers, learn to look inwards.
- Jesus knew that the Pharisees were following him to find fault with him. He could have chosen the path of diplomacy, pretending he didn’t see the man with a withered hand. He could have signalled this man to meet him secretly, but Jesus chose to heal him publicly. Do not be afraid of what anyone would do to you. Only fear God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Cf. Matthew 10:28)
- In our first reading, St. Paul warns the Corinthian Church against the spread of immorality in their midst. He said: “Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?” Evil usually starts very small, in fact, with just one person. Evil spreads like a fire razing down a forest like a single strike of a matchstick on a hot afternoon. Our indifference to evil is equivalent to our promotion of evil.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us to love our neighbour as ourselves. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of week 23 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Ps. 5:5-7,12, Luke 6:6-11).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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