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Gospel Reading for September 09, 2024 – Luke 6: 6-11
CELEBRATION
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.
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Jesus said in Mark 2: 27, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.” Being the Son of God, Jesus knows best what is most important to God and what is of least importance. Sabbath is a CELEBRATION of the Lord’s Day (Sunday for us, Christians). What is to celebrate if we abandon the sick and the needy? What is to celebrate if we allow ourselves to be mired in evil? CELEBRATION is always a significant and happy event. Therefore, the Lord’s Day is a CELEBRATION of LIFE and ALL GOOD, the most important event of the week!
It is good to remember this when we attend the Sunday Eucharist. We are not there to fulfill an obligation. We are there to celebrate LIFE and ALL GOOD. We bring ourselves to the Lord with all that we are, asking for his forgiveness, praising and thanking him for all his wonderful works in our life, and asking for his blessing so we may continue to be his children – strong and true as we face yet a new week.
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with jubilation; Come before Him with rejoicing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His faithfulness is to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
