ROOM FOR GROWTH IN LOVE

October 29, Friday

Thirtieth Week In Ordinary Time

 

We are the new Israel, the people of God’s promise, the new chosen people. God has given us many privileges. Is the anguish that Paul expresses with regard to Israel not to be felt by the Church too, with regard to many Christians, and by many Christians with regard to a Church sluggish to seek renewal? Are we ready with St. Paul to dedicate ourselves, whatever the cost, to the salvation of our brothers and sisters, including those outside the Church?

Something of what this goodness means is shown in practice. When eating at the house of a prominent man on a Sabbath, Jesus cures someone there who suffers, even on a Sabbath. Love is the reason and inspiration of the Christian Law. Is it in our lives, in our Christian community?

 

First Reading: Romans 9:1-5

At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow. It’s an enormous pain deep within me, and I’m never free of it. I’m not exaggerating—Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses. It’s the Israelites . . . If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I’d do it in a minute. They’re my family. I grew up with them. They had everything going for them—family, glory, covenants, revelation, worship, promises, to say nothing of being the race that produced the Messiah, the Christ, who is God over everything, always. Oh, yes!

 

Gospel: Lk 14:1-6

One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his every move. Right before him there was a man hugely swollen in his joints. So Jesus asked the religion scholars and Pharisees present, “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?”

They were silent. So he took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. Then he said, “Is there anyone here who, if a child or animal fell down a well, wouldn’t rush to pull him out immediately, not asking whether or not it was the Sabbath?” They were stumped. There was nothing they could say to that.

 

Prayer

God of all grace and peace,
you have chosen us to be
your kingdom of peace and love.
But we have to acknowledge with shame
that there is still much room for growth.
Make our love richer, more sensitive,
complete the work you have begun in us,
that we may have a permanent place in your heart
and reflect the perfect goodness
of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Reflection:
Stand firm for the cause of the needy
Today’s gospel presents another confrontation between Jesus and some religious leaders on a sabbath. Luke recorded five sabbath healings of Jesus in his gospel. Jesus is invited to have a meal in a Pharisee’s house on a sabbath day. The word ‘Pharisee’ means ‘separated one’. They taught in synagogues, and were self-appointed guardians of the Law of Moses and its observance. Most of the Scribes, who studied, interpreted and taught the Law, belonged to the group of Pharisees and hence they are often paired in the Gospel.
Luke presents the pharisee inviting Jesus for the meal as a trap set up for him, as he says, “they observed him closely”. They observed him because they had set a sick man in there, with an almost certainty that Jesus would heal him, despite the day being a Sabbath. The man suffering from dropsy, an accumulation of fluid in the body – only Luke names this illness. Remember, he was a physician and had the knowledge about the illnesses. Here we have the first lesson: Stand firm for the cause of those in need, even if your stand is not appreciated and you become unpopular.
As expected, Jesus melts before human sufferings. He immediately throws down a challenge: “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” That question did not deserve an answer, because the traditions held that treating illnesses was a medical profession and, on a Sabbath, it was not lawful to do one’s profession. No one dares to answer. An “Yes” would mean they fall into their own trap, and a “No” would mean they have little concern for the man. Hence, silence was their safest response. But, Jesus healed the man on the spot and sent him off.
Jesus then turns to his critics with a challenge: Who among them would not rescue their children or their animals if they fall into a well, even if it is the sabbath?” That touched their lives and knew they were in trouble on account of their own rules. Jesus was moved by compassion and not by the Law and traditions.
How often have we failed to go to the help of a person because we were afraid of what people might say or how they might judge us? They may even throw Church ‘rules’ and ‘commandments’ on our face as criticism. But no one who acts out of genuine love for others can go wrong. A truly loving act can never be sinful.

 

Video available On Youtube: Stand firm for the cause of the needy