The Greatness of God’s law

Today’s Scripture: One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 25 And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, when Abi'athar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 27 And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath." Mark 2:23-28

Reflection: the church has many laws and regulations, the many do’s and dont’s which build hostility and negative attitude towards the church and its teaching. This attitude is also observed towards the Word of God and all that is Godly and true.

No to abortion, no to same sex marriage, no to contraceptives, no to yoga and New Age and music that is dangerous to the soul, no to euthanasia, etc, etc. 

Everything seems to be a drab and the Christian faith looks like a kill joy waiting to see when a curb can be introduced on someone’s freedom. 

The problem is not in what is spoken or written; for the many do’s and don’ts are a must and has to be proclaimed.  Rather the problem is in the ones who receive the message: They fail to realize that essentially the message is spoken for the good of the human person, their own good.

Jesus never denounces the Sabbath but corrects what is essentially detrimental to human circumstance and need. Thus we have great men like St. Anthony the Abbot whose greatness lay in observing God’s law to the core.

Prayer: Lord, help me to find meaning in your living laws.     

St. Anthony the Abbot, Patron of Dedicated Disciples, Pray for us

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

Talent

Scripture:  "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Matt 25:14-15

Reflection:  Any reference to this parable of the talent and one deduces that it is the ability each one has.  But if we read the text carefully then it seems to show that talents are given to people with ability and that each one is given according to his or her ability. 

God who looks at the heart of the person knows the ability of each one and their capacity to accomplish the task that has been given and so he gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit accordingly.

The second thing about parable is; these talents are not given to anyone but to those who are his servants (through the Sacrament of confirmation) and accordingly entrusts.  Hence the talents have to be the gifts of the Holy Spirit; the greatest wealth that God can entrust to his servants. “And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit.” 1 Cor 12:7 Douay-Rheims

If one reads the complete parable then it is clearly communicated that the talent is given for profit and this profit in a Christian setting is shared for the common good.  

Finally each one will be accountable to the master for the use that one has put these talents to.  Accountability is a dangerous proposition, for "The Lord will judge his people."  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10:30-31 RSV

Prayer:  Lord, reveal to me the talents you have entrusted to this your servant and help me to use it for the good of your church here on earth.

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