30-Oct-15

Gospel LK 14:1-6
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,
“Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”
But they kept silent; so he took the man and,
after he had healed him, dismissed him.
Then he said to them
“Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,
would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”
But they were unable to answer his question.
Reflection:
The question is how does today's gospel apply to my life?
The scene is a Friday during Lent, and I have been invited to dinner at the home of my friend who is Jewish. Not being aware of my religion or its rules, she has prepared a delicious meal of roast lamb.
Do I smile and eat the lamb? Or do I politely decline the lamb and explain that under the rules of my religion, I am not allowed to eat meat during Lent.
WWJD - What would Jesus do?
As a follower of Christ, I believe that God's law of love is the ultimate authority:"......You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39
Why then, would I risk insulting and embarrassing my neighbor in violation of God's law in order to obey a man made rule? I believe I would do the right thing: smile and eat the lamb. And, then thank the hostess for preparing such a delicious meal.
I can fulfill my desire to honor my Lord for His sacrifice by doing an act of loving service for someone the following day.
"I bring You no oblation or sacrifice, my God,
only a foolish and self-centered heart,
I come to You with a sincere desire
to be your servant,
to walk in Your course for my life,
to bask in Your love and reflect it
to those around me." Psalm Now
"My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy ... you make them because they're right." -- Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C.