Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Lectionary: 437
Lectionary: 437
Brothers and
sisters:
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Responsorial PsalmPS 62:6-7, 9
R. (8) In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
GospelLK 6:6-11
On a certain
sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught,
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up and stand before us.”
And he rose and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them,
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up and stand before us.”
And he rose and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them,
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.
Meditation: "Is it
lawful to save life or to destroy it?"
What is
God's intention for the commandment, keep holy the Sabbath (Exodus
20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12)? The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the
act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's
law. In a few penetrating words Luke records that Jesus knew their
thoughts. They were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because
they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in
their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God.
Jesus shows them their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to
do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy
life.
What is
the significance of Jesus' healing the man with the withered hand? Ambrose
(337-397 AD), the 4th century bishop of Milan who was instrumental in bringing
Augustine of Hippo to the Christian faith, comments on this miracle:
"Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, 'Stretch forth
your hand.' That is the common and universal remedy. You who think that you
have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold
it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help
your neighbor, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you
see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins. The hand is
stretched forth; then it is healed. Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed
to idols; then it stretched out when he entreated God (1 Kings 13:4-6)."
Why do Christians celebrate Sunday as the Lord's
Day? Most importantly, we celebrate it to
commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of
creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection (2 Corinthians
5:17). God's action is a model for us. If God "rested and was
refreshed" on the seventh day, we, too, ought to "rest" and let
others, especially the poor, "be refreshed" (see Exodus 31:17;
23:12). Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God
for all that he has done for us. Such "rest" however does not exempt
us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else,
then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well. Saint Augustine
of Hippo (354-430 AD) said: "The charity of truth seeks holy leisure; the
necessity of charity accepts just work."
How can
we make Sunday a day holy to the Lord? First, by refraining from unnecessary
work and from activities that hinder the worship we owe to God. We can also
perform works of mercy, such as humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the
elderly. And we ought to seek appropriate relaxation of mind and body as well.
The joy of the Lord's Day is a great gift to refresh and strengthen us in our
love of God and of neighbor (Nehemiah 8:10). Do you know the joy of the Lord
and do you find rest and refreshment in celebrating the Lord's Day?
"Lord
Jesus, in your victory over sin and death on the cross and in your resurrection
you give us the assurance of sharing in the eternal rest of heaven. Transform
my heart with your love that I may freely serve my neighbor for his good and find
joy and refreshment in the celebration of Sunday as the Lord's Day."
 Do Good, Always and Everywhere |
|
Memorial of Saint
Peter Claver, priest
|
|
Father Patrick Butler, LC
Luke 6: 6-11
On a certain Sabbath Jesus went into the
synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was
withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he
would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand,
"Come up and stand before us." And he rose and stood there. Then
Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath
rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking
around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand."
He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed
together what they might do to Jesus.
Introductory Prayer: God the Father, thank you for the gift of creation, including
my own life. God the Son, thank you for redeeming me at the price of your own
Body and Blood. God the Holy Spirit, thank you for being the sweet guest of
my soul, enlightening my mind, strengthening my spirit, and kindling the fire
of your love in my heart.
Petition: Lord, make me a magnanimous, great-hearted
person, one who always desires the good of others.
1. Teaching and Doing: When Jesus speaks, he convinces those of
good will who are present. The people commented that Jesus spoke
convincingly, not like the Pharisees. That’s because Jesus preached only what
he was willing to put into practice himself. He practices what he preaches.
This is my Teacher and Master, who speaks of compassion and shows it. This is
he who lowers himself to washing his followers’ feet at the Last Supper
because he wants me to do the same.
2. Doing Good, Regardless of What Others
Think: Jesus is omniscient,
knowing even what others are thinking. He often chides the Pharisees, because
he sees their nitpicking and pettiness. They are guides of the people, yet
they stand aloof from their needs and constrain the people to follow many
rules that they themselves do not fulfill. Jesus sees a person in need whom
he can help. Although he sees around him many critics scrutinizing his words
and actions, nothing will keep him from doing this good deed. When I feel the
weight of others’ eyes upon me, can I still practice charity regardless of
what they think?
3. Saving Life: There is a culture of death and a culture of
life in this Gospel. The judgments of the Pharisees make them critical of
Jesus to the point that they become enraged. Eventually, they will plot to
kill Jesus. They couldn’t care less about the plight of the man Jesus heals.
Jesus speaks the words of life in the synagogue. He enriches life through
healing. I must learn from Jesus how to be a beacon of light and life amid
the divisive culture of egoism and death that surrounds me.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, you can read my heart, as you read the
hearts of the Pharisees. I also have a tendency to be critical and not always
constructive. Make my heart be more like yours, desiring good, and being
generous despite the criticisms that might come my way.
Resolution: I will strive to perceive the needs of
another person today, someone in particular. Then, I will seek to do what I
can to help that person, if possible in a way that does not draw attention to
myself.
|
MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 9
LUKE 6:6-11
(Colossians 1:24 ̶ 2:3; Psalm 62)
LUKE 6:6-11
(Colossians 1:24 ̶ 2:3; Psalm 62)
KEY VERSE: "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" (v 9).
READING: Jesus often disputed with the religious leaders about their rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law. Just as harvesting was prohibited on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5), so was healing ̶ unless a person's life was in danger. When a man with a withered hand came to the synagogue on the Sabbath, the scribes and the Pharisees maliciously watched to see what Jesus would do. If he healed him, they could charge him with a violation of the Sabbath law. Since the man's life was not threatened, he could have waited until the next day to be healed. Jesus knew that he was being watched as to what he would do, but he openly challenged his opponents by calling the man to stand in front of the assembly and stretch out his hand. Only Luke tells us that it was the man's right hand that was withered (See Mt 12:10-13 and Mk 3:1-6). This meant that he was probably unable to do physical labor, and therefore deprived of a livelihood. Jesus declared that the refusal to do good was evil in itself, and he healed the man. The Pharisees were enraged by this merciful act, but they saw no problem in plotting Jesus' death on the Sabbath.
REFLECTING: Do I pray for people in my faith community who need to be healed?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, give me a compassionate heart to help those in need.
Memorial
of Peter Claver, priest
Peter Claver entered the Jesuit novitiate at Tarragona in 1602 and took his final vows on August 8th, 1604. While studying philosophy at Majorca, the young religious was influenced by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez to go to the Indies and save "millions of perishing souls." In 1610, he landed at Cartagena (modern Colombia), the principle slave market of the New World, where a thousand slaves were landed every month. After his ordination in 1616, he dedicated himself by special vow to the service of the slaves, a work that was to last for thirty-three years. He labored unceasingly for the salvation of the African slaves and the abolition of the slave trade. Peter ministered, physically and spiritually, to slaves, converting a reported 300,000, and working for humane treatment on the plantations for 40 years. He organized charitable societies among the Spanish in America similar to those organized in Europe by Saint Vincent de Paul. Peter said of the slaves, "We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips.
Peter Claver entered the Jesuit novitiate at Tarragona in 1602 and took his final vows on August 8th, 1604. While studying philosophy at Majorca, the young religious was influenced by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez to go to the Indies and save "millions of perishing souls." In 1610, he landed at Cartagena (modern Colombia), the principle slave market of the New World, where a thousand slaves were landed every month. After his ordination in 1616, he dedicated himself by special vow to the service of the slaves, a work that was to last for thirty-three years. He labored unceasingly for the salvation of the African slaves and the abolition of the slave trade. Peter ministered, physically and spiritually, to slaves, converting a reported 300,000, and working for humane treatment on the plantations for 40 years. He organized charitable societies among the Spanish in America similar to those organized in Europe by Saint Vincent de Paul. Peter said of the slaves, "We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips.
In God is my safety and my glory.
The Pharisees were watching him.These poor Pharisees came to their Sabbath meetings looking for life. Before their very eyes they witnessed a healing, then went home plotting murder against the healer because he had broken a rule of their making. Truly we fashion the blinkers through which we choose to see life.
Writer Tony DeMello tells of a woman who was so preoccupied with getting to church to carry out her devotions that she never noticed the beggars or children along the way who called out to her. One day, she arrived just in time for the service, but the church door was shut tight. In her distress she looked up and saw a note pinned to the door. It said, ‘I’m out there!’
September 9
St. Peter Claver
(1581-1654)
St. Peter Claver
(1581-1654)
A native of Spain, young Jesuit Peter Claver left his homeland
forever in 1610 to be a missionary in the colonies of the New World. He sailed
into Cartagena (now in Colombia), a rich port city washed by the Caribbean. He
was ordained there in 1615.
By this
time the slave trade had been established in the Americas for nearly 100 years,
and Cartagena was a chief center for it. Ten thousand slaves poured into the
port each year after crossing the Atlantic from West Africa under conditions so
foul and inhuman that an estimated one-third of the passengers died in transit.
Although the practice of slave-trading was condemned by Pope Paul III and later
labeled "supreme villainy" by Pius IX, it continued to flourish.
Peter
Claver's predecessor, Jesuit Father Alfonso de Sandoval, had devoted himself to
the service of the slaves for 40 years before Claver arrived to continue his
work, declaring himself "the slave of the Negroes forever."
As soon
as a slave ship entered the port, Peter Claver moved into its infested hold to
minister to the ill-treated and exhausted passengers. After the slaves
were herded out of the ship like chained animals and shut up in nearby yards to
be gazed at by the crowds, Claver plunged in among them with medicines, food,
bread, brandy, lemons and tobacco. With the help of interpreters he gave basic
instructions and assured his brothers and sisters of their human dignity and
God's saving love. During the 40 years of his ministry, Claver instructed and
baptized an estimated 300,000 slaves.
His apostolate
extended beyond his care for slaves. He became a moral force, indeed, the
apostle of Cartagena. He preached in the city square, gave missions to sailors
and traders as well as country missions, during which he avoided, when
possible, the hospitality of the planters and owners and lodged in the slave
quarters instead.
After
four years of sickness which forced the saint to remain inactive and largely
neglected, he died on September 8, 1654. The city magistrates, who had
previously frowned at his solicitude for the black outcasts, ordered that he
should be buried at public expense and with great pomp.
He was
canonized in 1888, and Pope Leo XIII declared him the worldwide patron of
missionary work among black slaves.
Comment:
The Holy Spirit's might and power are manifested in the striking decisions and bold actions of Peter Claver. A decision to leave one's homeland never to return reveals a gigantic act of will difficult for us to imagine. Peter's determination to serve forever the most abused, rejected and lowly of all people is stunningly heroic. When we measure our lives against such a man's, we become aware of our own barely used potential and of our need to open ourselves more to the jolting power of Jesus' Spirit.
The Holy Spirit's might and power are manifested in the striking decisions and bold actions of Peter Claver. A decision to leave one's homeland never to return reveals a gigantic act of will difficult for us to imagine. Peter's determination to serve forever the most abused, rejected and lowly of all people is stunningly heroic. When we measure our lives against such a man's, we become aware of our own barely used potential and of our need to open ourselves more to the jolting power of Jesus' Spirit.
Quote:
Peter Claver understood that concrete service like the distributing of medicine, food or brandy to his black brothers and sisters could be as effective a communication of the word of God as mere verbal preaching. As Peter Claver often said, "We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips."
Peter Claver understood that concrete service like the distributing of medicine, food or brandy to his black brothers and sisters could be as effective a communication of the word of God as mere verbal preaching. As Peter Claver often said, "We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips."
Patron Saint of:
African-Americans
Colombia
African-Americans
Colombia
LECTIO: LUKE
6,6-11
Lectio:
Monday, September 9, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
you redeem us
and make us your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance you promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 6,6-11
On a Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was present, and his right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure somebody on the Sabbath, hoping to find something to charge him with. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, 'Get up and stand out in the middle!'
And he came forward and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them, 'I put it to you: is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?' Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He did so, and his hand was restored.
But they were furious and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.
God our Father,
you redeem us
and make us your children in Christ.
Look upon us,
give us true freedom
and bring us to the inheritance you promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 6,6-11
On a Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was present, and his right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure somebody on the Sabbath, hoping to find something to charge him with. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, 'Get up and stand out in the middle!'
And he came forward and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them, 'I put it to you: is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?' Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He did so, and his hand was restored.
But they were furious and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.
3) Reflection
• Context: This passage presents Jesus who cures a man with a withered hand. Different from the context of chapters 3 and 4 in which Jesus is alone, now here he is surrounded by his disciples and the women who go around with him. Therefore, here we have Jesus always moving. In the first stages of this journey the reader finds different ways of listening to the Word of Jesus on the part of those who follow him and which, definitively, it could be summarized in two experiences, which recall, in turn, two types of approaches: that of Peter (5,1-11) and that of the centurion (7,1-10). The first one encounters Jesus who invites him after the miraculous catch to become a fisherman of men; then he falls on his knees before Jesus: «Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man” (5, 8). The second one does not have any direct communication with Jesus: he has heard people speak very well about Jesus and he sends his envoys to ask for the cure of one of his servants who is dying; he is asking for something not for himself, but for a person who was a favourite of his. The figure of Peter expresses the attitude of the one who, discovering himself a sinner, places all his acts under the influence of the Word of Jesus. The centurion, showing solicitude for the servant, learns to listen to God. Well, between these itineraries or attitudes which characterize the itinerant journey of Jesus, is placed the cure of the man who presents the withered hand. This event of the miracle takes place in a context of debate or controversy: the ears of corn picked on the Sabbath and on the act of curing on a Saturday, precisely the withered hand. Between the two discussions there is the crucial role played by the Word of Jesus: “The Son of man is master of the Sabbath” (6, 5). Continuing with this passage we ask ourselves which is the sense of this withered hand? It is a symbol of the salvation of man who is taken back to the original moment, that of creation. The right hand, then, expresses human acting. Jesus then, gives back to this day of the week, Saturday, the deepest significance: it is the day of joy, of the restoration and not of limitation. What Jesus shows is the Messianic Saturday and not the legalistic one: the cures that he does are signs of the Messianic times, of restoration, of the liberation of man.
• The dynamic of the miracle. Luke places before Jesus a man who has a withered hand, dry, paralyzed. Nobody is interested in asking for his cure and much less the one concerned. And just the same, the sickness was not only an individual problem but its effects have repercussion on the whole community. But in our account we do not have so much the problem of the sickness as that of the aspect that it was done on Saturday. Jesus is criticized because he cured on Saturday. The difference with the Pharisees is in the fact that they on Saturday do not act on the basis of the commandment of love which is the essence of the Law. Jesus, after having ordered man to get in the middle of the assembly, formulates a decisive question: “Is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil?” The space for the answer is restricted: to cure or not to cure, or rather, to cure or to destroy (v.9). Let us imagine the difficulty of the Pharisees: it is excluded that evil can be done on Saturday or lead man to damnation, and even less to cure because help was permitted only in case of extreme need. The Pharisees feel provoked and this causes aggressiveness in them. But it is evident that the intention of Jesus in curing on Saturday is for the good of man and in the first place, for the one who is sick. This motivation of love invites us to reflect on our behaviour and to found it on that of Jesus who saves. Jesus is not only attentive to cure the sick person but is interested also in the cure of his enemies: to cure them from their distorted attitude in their observance of the Law; to observe Saturday without freeing their neighbour from their misery and sickness is not in accordance with the will of God. According to the Evangelist, the function of Saturday is to do good, to save, like Jesus has done during his earthly life.
4) Personal questions
• Do you feel involved in the words of Jesus: how do you commit yourself in your service to life? Do you know how to create the necessary conditions so that others may live better?
• Do you know how to place at the centre of your attention and of your commitment every person and all their requirements?
• Context: This passage presents Jesus who cures a man with a withered hand. Different from the context of chapters 3 and 4 in which Jesus is alone, now here he is surrounded by his disciples and the women who go around with him. Therefore, here we have Jesus always moving. In the first stages of this journey the reader finds different ways of listening to the Word of Jesus on the part of those who follow him and which, definitively, it could be summarized in two experiences, which recall, in turn, two types of approaches: that of Peter (5,1-11) and that of the centurion (7,1-10). The first one encounters Jesus who invites him after the miraculous catch to become a fisherman of men; then he falls on his knees before Jesus: «Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man” (5, 8). The second one does not have any direct communication with Jesus: he has heard people speak very well about Jesus and he sends his envoys to ask for the cure of one of his servants who is dying; he is asking for something not for himself, but for a person who was a favourite of his. The figure of Peter expresses the attitude of the one who, discovering himself a sinner, places all his acts under the influence of the Word of Jesus. The centurion, showing solicitude for the servant, learns to listen to God. Well, between these itineraries or attitudes which characterize the itinerant journey of Jesus, is placed the cure of the man who presents the withered hand. This event of the miracle takes place in a context of debate or controversy: the ears of corn picked on the Sabbath and on the act of curing on a Saturday, precisely the withered hand. Between the two discussions there is the crucial role played by the Word of Jesus: “The Son of man is master of the Sabbath” (6, 5). Continuing with this passage we ask ourselves which is the sense of this withered hand? It is a symbol of the salvation of man who is taken back to the original moment, that of creation. The right hand, then, expresses human acting. Jesus then, gives back to this day of the week, Saturday, the deepest significance: it is the day of joy, of the restoration and not of limitation. What Jesus shows is the Messianic Saturday and not the legalistic one: the cures that he does are signs of the Messianic times, of restoration, of the liberation of man.
• The dynamic of the miracle. Luke places before Jesus a man who has a withered hand, dry, paralyzed. Nobody is interested in asking for his cure and much less the one concerned. And just the same, the sickness was not only an individual problem but its effects have repercussion on the whole community. But in our account we do not have so much the problem of the sickness as that of the aspect that it was done on Saturday. Jesus is criticized because he cured on Saturday. The difference with the Pharisees is in the fact that they on Saturday do not act on the basis of the commandment of love which is the essence of the Law. Jesus, after having ordered man to get in the middle of the assembly, formulates a decisive question: “Is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil?” The space for the answer is restricted: to cure or not to cure, or rather, to cure or to destroy (v.9). Let us imagine the difficulty of the Pharisees: it is excluded that evil can be done on Saturday or lead man to damnation, and even less to cure because help was permitted only in case of extreme need. The Pharisees feel provoked and this causes aggressiveness in them. But it is evident that the intention of Jesus in curing on Saturday is for the good of man and in the first place, for the one who is sick. This motivation of love invites us to reflect on our behaviour and to found it on that of Jesus who saves. Jesus is not only attentive to cure the sick person but is interested also in the cure of his enemies: to cure them from their distorted attitude in their observance of the Law; to observe Saturday without freeing their neighbour from their misery and sickness is not in accordance with the will of God. According to the Evangelist, the function of Saturday is to do good, to save, like Jesus has done during his earthly life.
4) Personal questions
• Do you feel involved in the words of Jesus: how do you commit yourself in your service to life? Do you know how to create the necessary conditions so that others may live better?
• Do you know how to place at the centre of your attention and of your commitment every person and all their requirements?
5) Concluding Prayer
Joy for all who take refuge in you,
endless songs of gladness!
You shelter them, they rejoice in you,
those who love your name. (Ps 5,11)
Joy for all who take refuge in you,
endless songs of gladness!
You shelter them, they rejoice in you,
those who love your name. (Ps 5,11)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét