Posted by The WORD in other words (2021) by Fr Isabelo San Luis SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Friday 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Some years ago, I served as a chaplain to a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land. I was struck by the Jews’ strict observance of the Sabbath. For instance, when one of our pilgrims called up a friend on the phone, the friend apologized that she could not entertain her call because that “was forbidden”on a Sabbath day.
I also learned that when there was an accident on a Sabbath, Jewish bystanders could not extend help. But they could call other people who were non-Jews to help the victim.
One must admire the firm adherence of the Jews for the Sabbath, but as Jesus showed in today’s Gospel, one can make an exception when a case involves helping the needy or doing an act of charity.
The Lord meant that the law is subservient to a higher value, like human life. That’s why the Lord made the authoritative statement: “Man is not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath was made for man.” To affirm his words, he cured the man sick with dropsy even if he incurred the hatred of his countrymen.
What’s Jesus’ message for us? We may not be like the legalistic Pharisees (spiritual leaders) during Jesus’ time, but at times we can be like them.
When I did my “regency” (one-year period of exposure outside) at the seminary in the North, I remember how the rector, who was very prayerful and a stickler of the seminary rules, would make snide remarks, saying, “Priests nowadays are fond of going to movies and socializing.”
One morning while the elderly superior was criticizing again, a young foreign confrere, who was out that previous night, was personally affronted. His face turned red and blurted out, “Father, I’d rather enjoy seeing a nice movie outside than sit here and talk about the faults of others. It’s uncharitable.” He pushed back his chair and walked out of the dining room.
Let’s ask ourselves: Are prayerful and regular Mass-goers but uncharitable? Are we members of charismatic and renewal organizations, but are harsh or unjust in treating our workers? God requires piety which involves not only fulfilling a rigid, legalistic religion but, more importantly, acts of love, mercy, and compassion.
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