Do Relax

Today’s Gospel Text: That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear." Matt 13:1-9

Reflection:  The Sea can offer a great solace to a tired mind and body.

Could this be the reason that Jesus got out of the house and sat besides the sea?

Indeed, it could be possible; for does he not advice his dedicated disciples after their hard labor of ministering to come aside and rest a while (Mk. 6:31)

The Lord of the Sabbath, who also gave the Sabbath rest, as a commandment to the sons of Jacob, also cares that his people learn to relax too after their hard day’s labor in the vineyard of the Lord.

Indeed God cares but how much does he care?

Let’s look at human situations: How often have we set our hearts on something and then voluntarily give up for a less better thing or get more immersed in a hard and difficult job, when in reality we have wanted to take a break from it? 

Thus in the given situation;  in one of the most beautiful situation of life, besides the sea, with its cool and calm waters to invade the tired mind and the cold breeze to soothe the tired body, who would easily turn aside and oblige a ever demanding crowd with more and more teachings concerning the kingdom?

Jesus does exactly that; as he sees the great crowd gathered around him, he is moved and gets into the boat and changes direction: from facing the sea to facing the people!

He sets about teaching them!

I can’t see of a more noble thing than this; for if there has been any teacher born on this earth and if there is any thought that is worth its salt, then here is the greatest ever teacher with the greatest ever thoughts and teachings, practiced every bit in deeds by him. 

He reaches out to people on demand and he proves his teachings by his willing service, even at a difficult time.

Prayer: Lord, help me daily to make an offering of myself for your service. (cfr. Rom. 12:1)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Sabbath Rest

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." 13 And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." 15 Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" 17 As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. Luke 13:10-17

Reflection: A Sabbath rest is always an opportunity for God to work; for while we rest he works best.

Thus we find Jesus busy on a Sabbath doing the most laborious and best work that anyone can undertake, viz. the ministry of teaching in the Synagogue. 

This ministry of teaching leads him to do the next best work one can undertake viz., that of witnessing by our deeds to the mighty power of God who alone is able to save us.

Hence, one who understands the significance of a Sabbath will not violate the Sabbath or underestimate its importance but will instead value its importance and keep it.

To be recipient of the grace of Sabbath depends on the way we understand the significance of the Sabbath rest and how we keep it.

If we spend that day in the presence of God, by fulfilling our Christian obligation and duties, then we are entering into that perfect rest which ministers to our spirits and heals us with each encounter of the Lord of the Sabbath; Jesus Christ.

If only the ruler of the Synagogue knew who Jesus was and his ministry and work. 

Even in our times the many sacred and lay ministers who minister diligently and faithfully do the work of Christ and minister rest and peace to the people who are need it.

Everyone born in this world requires this rest whose closest camouflaging cousin the bodily sleep which too heals and gives rest. But the one that the Lord gives and ministers to us far outweighs the one accrued through a bodily sleep.

This insight should encourage each one of us to seek to enter into this rest of God by having programs of prayer; personal, family or communitarian.

Prayer:  Lord I pray that I may have the courage and strength to enter into your rest.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Sabbath Rest

Today’s Scripture: And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; 24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21b-28

Reflection:  Sabbath is a day of rest and on that day Jesus enters a synagogue doing the greatest of work any one can do; the work of preaching; a labour of truth and love.  Why will he not? Mankind robbed of its privilege of having the real Sabbath rest has to be restored and given a taste and experience of real Sabbath rest that one may perennially live in its power.

God once proclaimed the Sabbath rest to the Israelites through the proclamation of his word and now once again he does it in the very synagogue which was established by virtue of his word.

It means it is only the Lord who is able to accomplish this rest in your life.

Prayer: Lord, may my soul find its rest in you; for you alone is able to achieve it in my life.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us