Law and Judgment

Today’s Gospel Text:  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: “Judge not and you will not be judged.” (Lk. 6: 37)

The pharisees dared to question the righteous judge concerning his disciples: "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" (Vs. 24)

Just because we have an explanation from Jesus we can absolve him of the wrong he has done.

What would happen to the fate of Jesus if he had not given a counter reply which was perfect to the core? Then would the Pharisees  have swallowed him up alive. (cfr.Ps 124:3)

In keeping with this, in most countries which have a Biblical or Christian influence, we find that the human error in arriving at sound judgment is kept in mind even when applying the law or those who are the arbiters of the law keep in mind this norm and follow strict procedures before arriving at any conclusions.

Yet you will find there have been instances when an innocent man has been condemned and judged despite strict codes of procedures, because they have connived in advance to circumvent the law in order to beat the innocent.  

Unfortunately, sometimes the worst offenders are those within the church, who sit on the seat of Jesus, the judge of the universe, who himself has been a victim of unjust judgment at the hands of the chief law enforcers.

    

Can wicked rulers be allied with thee, who frame mischief by statute? They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death. Ps 94:20-21

Whenever there is media hype or public pressure then we have laws either created or existing laws interpreted or implemented to suit the occasion rather than go by divine law or natural justice. 

In the bargain the innocents are made scapegoats or targets, whose blood like the blood  of Abel keep crying to the heavens:

“For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” Ps 94:14-15

Prayer:  If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips,” thy steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. Ps 94:17-18

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

Understanding Heart

Today’s Gospel Text: "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." Matt 13:18-23

Reflection:  Who said that you have to be doers of the word not just hearers? Of course we have to be doers of the word as James the Apostle puts it in his letter, Chp. 1:22-25: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.”

Yet, it is not enough to carry this message in practical living. If we do we will be living in a heresy of Pelaginism, thinking that good works based on the law of the word will save us.

We could also be living like the Pharisees who lived the word by interpreting it and putting it into practice.

So then what’s wrong in living by the word of God and being doers of the word?

There is a stage in between hearing and doing, it is one of understanding or receiving the word with meekness of heart. (cfr. vs. 19) In fact, UNDERSTANDING is the most important part or the only important part in living as true Dedicated Disciples of Christ Jesus.

How can you say that? Then what happens to doing or action?

All those things will come about in due time, if there is understanding with the grace of Christ.

Understanding is like a food item which you may have tasted before and never cared much about it. Now somebody takes you for tasting the same dish to a specialist and it all tastes so good that you really want to taste it again and again, even wanting others to taste it.

Such are the Christians whom Christ wants to be his Dedicated Disciples, who seek to understand his word, because ; like a true master chef,. Jesus knows that what he has to offer is the best. It is the truth, if really savored well then one will find real meaning and taste. It is not like any other so called holy word, but a time tested word, that has to be relished. He who relishes it will even go and tell others about it.

This very reason James begins his injunction with this exhortation: “Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Jas 1:21

Prayer: “Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law and observe it with my whole heart.” Ps 119:34

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