But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant, because Jesus had performed this healing on the Sabbath day,
and he said to the people, “There are six days in which to work. Come on those days to be healed, and not on the Sabbath!”
But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Everyone of you unties his ox or his donkey on the Sabbath,
and leads it out of the barn to give it water. And here you have a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound for eighteen years.
Should she not be freed from her bonds on the Sabbath?”
When Jesus said this, all his opponents felt ashamed. But the people rejoiced at the many wonderful things that happened because of him.
REFLECTION:
We noted yesterday that the Rabbis of Jesus’ time debated about the greatest commandment.
There was a great interest of the Rabbis on the negative prescriptions of the Law.
They were so concerned about what was prohibited. In contrast Jesus was so concerned with the good that to be done.
It was no surprise, therefore, that the Rabbis pounced on Jesus when he “worked” on the Sabbath! They were concerned with the “Law.”
Jesus was more concerned with “persons!” The Law of love and mercy was more important than the negative prohibition.
We are to remember that at the end of time we will be judged more not by our violations of the laws as by our practice of charity.
We will be judged according to whether we have been merciful and compassionate. The good we do to our neighbor will be remembered
by Jesus who said “whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.” St. Paul also in our first reading tells
the Ephesians to “behave as children of light” by “works of kindness, justice and truth.”
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020