New Meaning of Sabbath : Sabbath means doing Good

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 30th Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 14:1-6*

*First Reading - Rom 9:1-5*

*New Meaning of Sabbath : Sabbath means doing Good*

*1) Sabbath for Scribes and Pharisees*

For scribes and Pharisees, Sabbath was means, following the rules and regulations, without understanding the meaning of it 

For them literal understanding of law was more important than the hidden meaning or the spirit of the law

That's why they saw doing any kind of work on the sabbath day was against the law.

*2) Sabbath is not to forbid the good work, but to facilitate the Good work*

Sabbath for Jesus had altogether different meaning. For the primary purpose of sabbath was doing good rather than forbidding any good 

In no way the spirit of sabbath gets diluted by doing good work, but it becomes rich by doing good work 

So Jesus gave a new meaning to the sabbath, accordingly we can say that doing good work is the primary purpose of the sabbath 

*3) Sabbath is not to restrict only to one day*

For scribes and Pharisees, sabbath was fixed on a particular day. They could not think of sabbath on other days 

But with Jesus' new meaning, that is *Sabbath means doing good* the spirit of sabbath is applicable to any situation and to any context

So the moment we do a good deed, we must paise and thank God, for such an opportunity, because it is part of the celebration of the sabbath 

*4) We have a call to do good on Sabbath day*

Since Jesus did good on sabbath day, we have a duty and obligation to do a lot of good work on the sabbath day 

As a disciple of Jesus I must take the chances to celebrate the spirit of sabbath in every moment and in every moment 

*5) My Life and Sabbath*

Can I turn my life as the celebration of Sabbath??

Since sabbath means, praising and thanking God, and also doing lot of good work, there are multiple opportunities to turn my life as the celebration of Sabbath

This is a real challenge to all the followers of Christ, that to change our life into a celebration of sabbath in all situations. 

Will I challenge myself to create a new meaning for sabbath in my life??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*