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.

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