Readings: Heb. 6:10-20, Ps. 110, Mark 2:23-28
Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
HOW ARE
WE INTERPRETING AND IMPLEMENTING OUR RELIGIOUS AND SOCIETAL LAWS?
There
is no doubt that human life is guided by laws and principles, for in there
absence we cannot survive or enjoy peace and harmony in our society. But it is
so sad to say that we have lost the essence and spirit that governs the making
of laws, it’s interpretation and application. Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel
passage today teaches us about the essence of making laws.
This
is clear from the response of Jesus when the Pharisees criticized the attitude
of his disciples who on the Sabbath were seen plucking ears of corn to eat
because they were very hungry. This is so because the Pharisees emphasized on
strict keeping of the laws of Sabbath while neglecting the spirit of the law
which has to do with God’s love and
mercy.
Thus,
for the Pharisees this would be a transgression of the law of the Sabbath which
prohibits one form doing any work. Jesus responded by quoting the scriptures to
indicate that their arguments have no bases. He recalls that David himself did
something which was prohibited, because he took the sacred bread of the temple
and gave it to the soldiers to eat because they were hungry. Jesus ends his
response with two important phrases: first, the Sabbath is made for man and not
man for the Sabbath. Secondly, the Son
of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.
The
truth is that, Sabbath was meant to be a day of rest when people would be free
to think of God, to give thanks for God’s gifts, and to take care of their
health and well-being. But some religious authorities gradually encroached the
Sabbath with so many regulations that it is no longer serving its true purpose.
Dear
friends, how are we interpreting and implementing our religious and societal laws?
For Laws exist for the good of the people, but often times we find ourselves
seeking more recognition by exercising too much control over other people’s
lives under the disguise of laws. This should not be the case, rather, we
should always consider the essence and purpose of making laws, bearing in mind
that human needs which supersedes all other human interest should be the
guiding principle of any law both social and religious.
In
fact, the ritual demands of the Sabbath encourages mercy, forgiveness and
compassion which are at the heart of any true religion. Therefore, as we make
laws and implement them, let these principles be our guide. For in our first
reading we were told that God would not be so unjust as to forget all we have
done, the love that we have for his name or the services we have done, and are
still doing, for the saints.
LET US
PRAY: Heavenly Father, you often show the light of your truth to those who go
astray, grant through the intercession of St.
Anthony, that we may always embrace your laws, interpret them properly
and apply them with mercy and compassion. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. Do have a blessed day
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