He's The Lord of The Sabbath

Beads of Joy 09-04-10

He's The Lord of The Sabbath
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Today we have a most intriguing sometimes controversial topic, the Lord's Day. Some people really honor it the way it was intended by God, while others treat it like any other day of the week. Well today let us venture in and reflect on this particular scripture. Today's reading can be found in Luke 6:1-5 (Debates about the Sabbath), the title says it all. In today's reading verse 5 speaks volumes, "And he said to them, "The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath." No more needs to be said. If Jesus so decided to have the disciples pluck and eat the heads of grain, then so be it. The Pharisees just tended to be a followers of laws, they had no compassion or concern for the people, or for who Jesus really was. Sadly they seem like the typical governments of the world. They splatter the rules and laws around and at the same time, they think they do no evil, they are innocent at all times. Pathetically sad I must say.

Let us reflect on a few questions that might stir up some thought about this most wonderful day of the week. For starters, What does "Keep the Sabbath holy" really mean? How can we be sure we are seriously following God's commandments? For starters this is one of the Ten Commandments (the 3rd one) that God the Father has commanded and wrote on the tablets of stone with Moses. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates." Exodus 20:8-10 This is the argument the Pharisees have with Jesus. But on a scriptural note Jesus did say, "Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27.

So this all leads me to ask: What then is our obligation on Sunday? And how can we be best directed to the right answer, and what it is we are to do on Sunday's? The Catechism of The Catholic Church of cause is the answer. LOL. Here are some excerpts that I know will be helpful:

Our Sunday Obligation
2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

A day of grace and rest from work
2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

Everyone celebrates Sunday's differently. Some go as a family to Mass followed by a family gathering at home, so everyone can have a good home cooked meal together. That was more common in my family when I was growing up. Sunday's were for Mass and usually visiting Grandparents, or Aunts and Uncles, sometimes we'd go to the cemetery for prayers and flowers. At this time we just do the best that we can, depending on how Chrissy is feeling. Everything we do now fluctuates tremendously. We hope and pray that we can all go together, but Chrissy can't be left alone. We just pray everyday, "Jesus, I trust in You."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO