The Sabbath of the Law Vs The Sabbath of the Hungry

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 6:1-5*

*First Reading : Col 1:21-23*

*The Sabbath of the Law Vs The Sabbath of the Hungry*

*1) The Sabbath of the Law*

In today's Gospel we have the group of Pharisees, who speaks about the Sabbath from the law point of view 

They have limited thier understanding only to the literal sense. Beyond literal understanding they can see nothing 

That's why they see something wrong with the disciples of Jesus 

Whatever the disciples of Jesus did, became unlawful for Pharisees 

That's why they question *Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”*

*2) The Sabbath of the Hungry*

Jesus speaks about the sabbath of the Hungry 

The real meaning of the sabbath, is not limited to the literal meaning but it consists in the deeper meaning of the sabbath

Sabbath of the Hungry consists in the following

Showing care and concern 

Showing a generous heart 

Experiencing forgiveness

Giving a helping hand 

Living a simple life 

Serving the needy 

Doing some acts of mercy 

Working for the betterment of the lowly

All these gestures of love and service, is not prevented by any sabbath  law 

The sabbath of Jesus, the sabbath of Hungry does not prevent any gesture which is done in the service of the needy 

But for the Pharisees and the sabbath of the law will find fault with these gesture of love 

*3) Last Judgment depends of the Sabbath of Hungry and not on the sabbath of the law*

The Matthew's Gospel clearly Shows that the last judgment depends on the sabbath of the Hungry 

*For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.*

This is the real meaning of the sabbath according to Jesus. Finally the sabbath of the Hungry will save us and give us eternal life 

*4) The sabbath of Law should lead to the sabbath of Hungry*

These are two important things. When Jesus emphasis the sabbath of Hungry, he is not going against the sabbath of law. Both are necessary

But when the sabbath of law nullifies the importance of sabbath of hungry, such law does not have any importance to Jesus 

So one should help the other to fulfil it 

They are complimentary to each other and not contradictory to each other 

*5) What law dominates in me?*

Is it the sabbath of law or sabbath of Hungry? 

At times the sabbath of law may be an easy excuse to escape from the real responsibility towards the needy and the poor 

In the name of the sabbath of the law, am I compromising my duties and responsibility towards the elders, children, and my neighbors? 

Let the sabbath of hungry find the real meaning of the sabbath of law

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*