Ps5:5-6.7.12,
Luke 6 :6- 11 Full Readings
The Priority of Life Over the Law
Beloved brethren, it is clearly stated in Exodus 20:8; and Deuteronomy 5:12 that keeps the Sabbath Holy, and also to the tradition of the Jews, no single work would be done on this day even if it is saving somebody's life. But in the Gospel today Jesus shows that the law is made for man but man is made for God. When the law stands in the way of salvation, the Lord dispenses with the law and reaches out with love and compassion.
Jesus knew he was being watched by the scribes and Pharisees but in defiance and with compassion he healed the man with a withered hand. Today we have to reflect on how much value do you and I place on human life? Are we afraid to do good because we fear what people might say? Are we ready to dispense with any law that stifles love and compassion? At home, do we have laws that say we must not give water to the stranger? Is it lawful to do good on a Sabbath? Yes! The Christians life is faith-in-action; we must spread the banner of God’s love and compassion regardless of the law. As we reflect on this theme, let us also pray for the courage to do what is right even when it is hard.
Brethren, human life is incomparable, it is irreplaceable, it supersedes whatever should be protected in this world, it surpasses whichever law is made on earth, and it should be protected at any means possible. Jesus himself says it in today's Gospel that human life has to be protected even if it is on the Sabbath.
In today's world, it is quite a pity that life has been taken lightly and anybody can do anything with it. People are nolonger afraid of taking someone's life through murder, abortion, food poisoning, witchcraft and many other ways. Sometimes we also fail to protect life when we torture others, give heavy punishments, pass harsh laws on our workers or even our children, and many more ways. Others are commiting suicide forgetting that life comes from God and he is the only one supposed to take it away from us. All these need our prayers and intervention as Christians and we need to be fore bearers of protecting life.
As Jesus protected and restored human life in the Gospel, we are also encouraged to imitate him. This is done through many ways as Christians.
Firstly, Christ's miracle today of healing the withered hand has a big significance for us today. 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)."
This is an invitation first of all to ask for healing of our withered hands for the many times we have engaged our hands in many bad acts which have withered our hands and secondly to resolve to use our healed hands in saving the lives of others through helping the needy, giving to the poor, and doing any works of charity. In this way we will not only save lives but we will also fulfil God's law of love.
Today let us reflect on how we can make Sunday a day holy to the Lord while prioritising human life. 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 neglected. 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).
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, giver of all life, help me always to prioritise human life and then 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. Amen
Be blessed
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