THE SABBATH
1 Corinthians 4:6-15; Psalm 145; Luke 6:1-5
The controversy in today’s Gospel was not really about the Sabbath. It was about Jesus. The Pharisees saw the disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and immediately saw a violation. Jesus saw hungry people in need of mercy. They were looking at the law; Jesus was looking at the human person. Our faith must help human needs.
Jesus did not abolish the law. He revealed its proper purpose. The law is meant to lead us to God, not drive us away from Him. We can sometimes become like the Pharisees: we know the rules but forget the reason; we defend regulations at the detriment of love, mercy and compassion.
A Christian must never use the law as an excuse to stop loving. If your faith makes you harsh but not holy, something is wrong. If your observance makes you judgmental but not merciful, something is missing. Sabbath is about our heart, relationship with Jesus not just collection of rules.
Jesus says “the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath.” This is called the principle of proper ordering. God gave the Sabbath to help people rest, worship, and draw closer to Him; not to trap them for punishment. Sometimes we major on the minor, and minor on the major. We need proper ordering. God help us.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, help us to obey Your word without losing compassion for others. May our worship draw us closer to You and make us more loving. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
