Gospel Reading for October 31, 2025 – Luke 14: 1-6
OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE
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.
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LIFE IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. Otherwise, there would be no need for healing. Hence, there is the expression, “a matter of LIFE and death” when describing a life-threatening situation. This is why we cannot say we have the freedom to kill others or take our own LIFE. Firstly, we are not the giver so it is not ours to take. Secondly, once we lose it, it is the end. The grief that is caused by the death of a loved one expresses or describes very well how very precious LIFE is. So, it is but fitting to preserve LIFE and celebrate it on the Lord’s Day. When we celebrate LIFE on the Lord’s Day, it is also our way of expressing our gratitude for this priceless and wonderful gift from God called LIFE!
When we take care of all living things on earth and not only humans, we share in God’s work of creation that has not stopped at the garden of Eden, and will continue until the time he deems to end it.
We thank you Lord, for the gift of LIFE! Teach us to appreciate it by doing our part in your work of creation!
