GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 3RD SEPTEMBER 2016
SATURDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: 1Corinthians 4:6-15
PSALM: Psalm 145:17-21
GOSPEL: Luke 6:1-5
THEME: WHO IS YOUR LAWYER?
Anyone who has ever had a brush with the law will attest that having the right lawyer at your side is important in coming out unscathed in any legal tussle.
In the Gospel text of today, the disciples of Jesus landed into trouble with the legal system of the Jews. According to Jewish law, “ Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in ploughing time and in harvest time you shall rest” (Ex 34:21). To break the Sabbath law was a serious offence. In fact Exodus 31:14 stipulates that “You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you; everyone who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it shall be cut off from among the people.”
In our Gospel text for today, the disciples of Jesus were “caught” picking ears of corn and eating them (i.e. harvesting) on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees, very much aware of the demands of the Law, said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” (Luke 6:2). Jesus stepped in as a “lawyer” and came to the defence of his disciples making reference to a precedence in the interpretation and application of the Law in the case of David (cf. 1Sam. 21:1-6). Having given a solid defence, he concluded with the statement, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Luke 6:5).
Occasionally, we all land into trouble. These are moments when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances or perhaps between “the devil and the deep blue sea”. In such moments, we all need a lawyer. The psalmist cries out, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them” (Ps 145:18-19).
To have Jesus as one’s personal lawyer is an assurance of victory. He knows how to defend and deliver all those who put their trust in him. A question worth pondering over is WHO IS THE LAWYER OF MY LIFE?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, be my defender in the face of attack. In you I put my trust and I know I shall not be put to shame.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).