Reading 1
Rom 9:1-5
Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ,who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Gospel
Lk 14:1-6
On a sabbath Jesus went to dineat 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.
Meditation: Luke 14:1-6
Once again, Jesus found himself in the middle of a controversy.
The Pharisees who confronted him held to a limited interpretation of God’s commands, which led them to suspect Jesus and look for any opportunity to trip him up. For his part, Jesus took their scrutiny as a chance to teach them about the heart of God’s law, which consists of mercy and healing.
When Jesus healed the man with dropsy—an ailment that caused excessive retention of fluid—he once more confronted these Pharisees’ narrow understanding of God’s ways. Their rigid application of sabbath law left no room for the love and mercy that are the foundation of every one of God’s commands. Jesus addressed this rigidity directly. If any sensible person would rescue a farm animal in mortal danger on the Sabbath, how much more would God want to rescue one of his children in need? Of all the days of the week, the Sabbath would be the most appropriate day for someone to receive God’s healing touch.
The sabbath rest God wants for us comes from an intimate experience of his love—an experience that places peace in our hearts, no matter what our circumstances. Jesus came to inaugurate this sabbath rest on earth through his suffering, death, and resurrection. As his people, we can now experience it in increasing depth. In this rest, we know God as our Father, and we know we belong to him. We learn to trust in his provision and surrender our lives to his care.
How can you experience God’s rest? The most essential element is prayer, which puts us into contact with the realities of God’s kingdom. Quieting your mind as you dwell on a passage from the Bible or as you focus your attention on a favorite crucifix can make it easier for God’s life to penetrate your heart. Perhaps playing some worshipful music and singing along, or quietly chanting the rosary or a psalm can give you a sense of quiet and release. Whatever you do, know that Jesus is searching for you even more eagerly than you are looking for him. So try to let go just a little bit, and let him find you!
“Lord Jesus, I open my heart to you now. May I enter into your rest and experience your presence. Help me to see that love is at the heart of your law.”
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