Peace and blessings to you today. Let us rejoice in the day the Lord has made and let us be glad in it!
Sobering Words
Today’s reflection is on the very sobering words of the Apostle in his letter to the Romans and the lesson Christ teaches those who sit in high places of honor in the local community. The sobering message: that a faithful disciple shudders at a glimpse into the future of a community that has looked away from the comfort, mercy and grace provided by our Lord. Saint Paul, who is a faithful apostle, is in anguish when he reflects on his community. He is willing to be “cut off” and “accursed” so that his people may be spared.
The True Sabbath
Then, we see the behavior of those surrounding the Lord in the Gospel. He is teaching them a lesson about where their hearts are and where they should be. The elites were only concerned about the sabbath when it was convenient for them. The Lord exposed them for making concessions on the sabbath for what was truly important to them – their wealth, when the true treasure to accommodate on the sabbath were the suffering people in the community.
I sometimes look at what happens in our society today and shudder thinking about how long the Lord’s patience will tolerate some of the shenanigans going on in our local communities and in the broader world. My friends, let us not despair, but offer ourselves up as a sacrifice in word and deed for those whom the Lord finds dear.
Many blessings to you, your families, and your local communities!
