Readings: Philippians 1:1-11, Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6, Luke 14:1-6
“Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” (Luke 14:5)
Today’s Gospel passage is short but full of meaning. Jesus knew the Pharisees were not all in good terms with Him. He knew they sought ways to trap him. He knew their deep-seated hatred, yet He went to eat in their homes. Jesus called them hypocrites (whitewashed tombs), but He never distanced Himself from them. As a Good Shepherd, Jesus did not hesitate to walk into the “lion’s den” to rescue the lost sheep. He attended their dinners to speak to their hearts and save them.
This is what love really means: going out of your way, risking everything to help even those who hate you. Love is kindness to your enemies. Note: love is not about staying silent in the face of evil; it is not about being diplomatic. Jesus loved the Pharisees, but He would always tell them the truth to save their souls.
On this occasion, a man with dropsy was in a Pharisee’s home, and because it was the Sabbath, they watched Jesus to see what He would do. Jesus knew they were watching Him; He could have played to the gallery by pretending not to see the man, but He did not mind doing what is right, even when it was unpopular.
Luke tells us that the Pharisees were watching Jesus. They knew Jesus wouldn’t see a man in that condition and do nothing. It was like a trap for Jesus. Child of God, many do not like you, yet they never stop watching you, hoping you’ll make a mistake or that something bad will happen to you (so they can laugh at you or put you down). Unlike Jesus, who could read people’s minds, we cannot tell who our true friends are; that is why we must pray and use the weapons of our warfare (Cf. Ephesians 6:10-20).
After healing the man, Jesus showed the Pharisees that, in their bid to keep the law (thinking they were trying to please God), they were hurting many people. They did not realise that if we do not love our neighbours, we can never love God. Jesus reminded them how they would untie their donkey that fell into a well even on a Sabbath day (without seeing it as work) but would not even be concerned about a human being that is bound by illness for a long time.
Love is the ability to see God in others, especially in those suffering, hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, etc. No law is superior to the law of love. On the last day, we shall be judged by how we kept this law of love: how we helped others and how we behaved, not like the Pharisees. Hence St. Paul prayed in today’s first reading for the Philippian church that “love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless…” (Philippians 1:9-11).
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of week 30 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Philippians 1:1-11, Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6, Luke 14:1-6)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu