SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2024
SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY SECOND WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
1 Corinthians 4:6-15
Luke 6:1-5
LIVING ABOVE SUSPICION AND SCRUPULOSITY
Legalistic approach to life and life situations breeds a scrupulous mind. Any scrupulous person becomes always suspicious, unease and attaches sin to every situation. An author describes scrupulous person as, “a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involving religious or moral obsessions. Scrupulous individuals are overly concerned that something they thought or did might be a sin or other violation of religious or moral doctrine.” As described by Wikipedia, “Scrupulosity is characterized by pathological guilt about moral or religious issues. It is personally distressing, objectively dysfunctional, and often accompanied by significant impairment in social functioning.”
That was the attitude of the Pharisees in today’s gospel reading. They accused Jesus and his disciples of breaking the law of the sabbath because they plucked and ate some heads of grain, when they were hungry and wanted to quench their hunger on a sabbath day.
So the legalistic Pharisees became the judges over hungry people who did not use sickles to harvest. Neither did they have the intentions of harvesting but just that they were passing and felt hunger and helped themselves with food, a natural necessity. Then the Pharisees imputed sinfulness to them and accused them of breaking the law of the sabbath.
The intentions of the Pharisees were not hidden, for they had always found fault with whatever Jesus did and they had resorted to using their laws against any action of Jesus or his disciples.
But Jesus always stand in defence of his own and his disciples. In this situation, Jesus uses the Scripture and precisely the example of David and his men to drive home the point that even David behaved likewise and ate the bread reserved for only the priest as given by the law but God was pleased with him. God did not condemn him. So if God cannot condemn their patriarch David for not keeping the laws as laid down, because he was trying to use what he had to protect and preserve life, why would anyone accuse him for protecting life on the sabbath. So he went further to declare that the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath.
So Jesus did not give in to the intended or unintended SCRUPULOSITY of the Pharisees. And none must live a scrupulous life since it limits us, and puts one perpetually in bondage both spiritually and morally.
God cannot be a police officer always imputing sinfulness to our actions. And we must not always condemn ourselves on actions that we undertake for safety, protection of life and wellbeing of ourselves unless it is overly sinful in intentions and will. Our moral guage must always guide us in such matters.
On the contrary, our actions must always be done from a grateful heart towards God and to be seen as giving honour and praise to God. That is what Paul admonishes in the first letter to the Corinthians. So Paul challenges us to recognize that all we have are a gift from the Lord. And as such we must show gratitude to God and live in acknowledgment of these gifts. The point of being grateful, recognising that we have been gifted by our good God, makes one to live above suspicion and live totally in freedom.
Again, Jesus points to the true meaning and obligation of the sabbath laws as against the scrupulosity of the pharisees and the scribes.
No doubt the sabbath is a day dedicated to God. It is a day designed for the worship of God and a day of rest from serious work and a day to recoup our strength and gain some lessons from God. This has been the ideal of the Jewish people.
But the Pharisees and the scribes over exaggerated the importance, significance and practical life of the sabbath and crowded it withs laws and prescriptions that creates a slavish sense for man. The sabbath became a burden to human wellbeing and salvation. The laws around it keep man on bondage.
Therefore the teaching of Jesus on sabbath observance is seen in the scene of today’s gospel. Jesus uses the opportunity to admonish the people not only against their scrupulosity but also the burdensome practice of the Pharisees and the scribes thereby directs them on the real meaning and intent of the sabbath day observances.
So, for Jesus and the Church, the sabbath is equivalent to our Sunday observances. Since as Christians, we are the new People, the chosen race and the redeemed of the Lord. Sunday or the Lord’s day is set for the honour of our God in worship and to rest as human being, to engage in charity to the downtrodden and to help humanity.
Quoting from the document of Pope John Paul II, titled Dies Domini, he states: “Sharing in the Eucharist is the heart of Sunday, but the duty to keep Sunday holy cannot be reduced to this. In fact, the Lord’s Day is lived well if it is marked from beginning to end by grateful and active remembrance of God’s saving work. This commits each of Christ’s disciples to shape the other moments of the day — those outside the liturgical context: family life, social relationships, moments of relaxation — in such a way that the peace and joy of the Risen Lord will emerge in the ordinary events of life. For example, the relaxed gathering of parents and children can be an opportunity not only to listen to one another but also to share a few formative and more reflective moments. Even in lay life, when possible, why not make provision for special times of prayer — especially the solemn celebration of Vespers, for example — or moments of catechesis, which on the eve of Sunday or on Sunday afternoon might prepare for or complete the gift of the Eucharist in people’s hearts?”
And in the catholic catechism, the church father cautions as follows;
“Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.” So , let the sabbath or Sunday be a day for the glory of God.
Heavenly Father, teach me your laws. Guide me in your truth. May I never misrepresent or misinterpret your laws. Help me to understand your laws, wills and precepts better and to lovingly and gratefully uphold them all for your honour and glory. Raise me above scrupulous observance of laws through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
