Monday, September 7, 2020

 Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 6:6-11)

It is quite appropriate that on Labor Day there is a gospel involving a labor dispute.  Jesus is being accused of violating the law forbidding work on the Sabbath.

Of course, Jesus sees the situation differently. He does not mean to undermine the Sabbath.  Like any good Jew, Jesus recognizes the value of the Sabbath in preparing the people for the kingdom.  The relaxation, the joy of being with friends, the opportunity to visit whether someone’s house or a lovely natural place all anticipate the wonder of heaven.  But one of God’s beloved children stands in dire need.  How can Jesus not but help the paralytic?

God loves each of us as much.  He gives us work both to utilize our intelligence and to provide our needs.  And he also gives us this day of rest to contemplate His goodness and to share with one another.