Is it proper to restrict unlawful activities only on Sabbath day and to Temple?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

15^th Week – Friday

Gospel –Matthew 11: 1-8

 

Is it proper to restrict unlawful activities only on Sabbath day and to Temple?

 See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath.”

 1) Distinction between Sabbath Day and Other Days

• According to Pharisees there is a clear distinction between Sabbath day and other days 
• Sabbath day is Holy and one needs to observe certain things in particular to keep the Sabbath holy 
• Sabbath had a special significance in the lives of all the Pharisees. So they were seen talking many times about Sabbath
• They were rather strict in observing all the laws which are concerned on the day of Sabbath. They would not make any excuses in observing any laws. 

 2) Distinction between Temple and Other Places

• Likewise, for Pharisees temple also had a special significant from other places
• They would consider the temple as the highest place of holiness and having highest amount of reverence. 
• For them temple was a place where God dwells. So it must be respected with utmost holiness and reverence. 
• Having a such a good thought about Sabbath day and temple always good 

 3) Jesus' perception about these places. 

• There is no doubt that Jesus had utmost reverence to the day of Sabbath and to the place of temple. 
• Very often we come across Jesus' teaching on these two issues 
• For Jesus, unlawful things not only restricted on the Sabbath day and in the temple area, but they are restricted everyday and in every place 
• Unlawful things can't be allowed on certain days and can be restricted on certain days 
• In other words Jesus is inviting all of us to consider Everyday as Sabbath, and Every place as temple 

 4) Everyday is a Sabbath

• On the Sabbath day we are supposed to do only lawful things. Consider each day is Sabbath and do only lawful things 
• Sabbath day needs to be kept Holy. Extent Sabbath day to all days and keep it holy 
• Sabbath day is spent in the presence of God meditating the word of God and asking His blessings. We need to do the same even on other days 

 5) Consider every area as temple

• Since temple is a place where God dwells and where only good are done consider evey place as temple
• House is a temple. Keep it holy 
• Workplace is a temple. Keep it holy
• Society is a place of temple. Feel the presence of the Lord 
• Nature is a place of temple. Experience the Lord

 6) Is My God is restricted only to the Sabbath Day and to the Temple?

• See God not only in temple and on the Sabbath day 
• Seeing God beyond the temple is necessary
• See God in another human being 
• See God in your family
• See God in the surrounding where you live. 
• Don't restrict God only to the temple
• Also do not restrict experiencing God only on Sabbath day 
• Some think only on Sabbath day we need to experience God, since it is a Lords day 
• Every day is Lords day and every day we need to experience the Lord 

 7) Am I Sunday/temple Christian? 

• Do I think that only on Sundays unlawful things are restricted and not on other days. 
• Do I think that only in the temple area unlawful things are restricted. Other places I don't worry about the same?
• This is exactly what is meant by Sunday Christians and Temple Christians. 
• This is not the true spirituality. 
• Extend your Sabbath spirit to all the days and have your temple place every little place where you dwell. It will make a huge difference in your life

 God bless you and Your Family. Praying for you and your family

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore