Work of the Sabbath

Greetings on this the Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: EPH 4:32–5:8; PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; LK 13:10-17
Notes: Sabbath means day of rest and worship.

Jesus upends the traditional understanding of the then-elite have of this commandment to Keep the Sabbath Holy (3rd Commandment of the ten commandments).

(For the curing signs of the Gospel of John) Remember the general theme order is:

1. a sign.
2. a challenge (by what authority do you do these things, we didn’t authorize you – gospel of John). The gospel of Luke has the complaint as ‘There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.’
3. a teaching.

The Sabbath complaint is a very weak complaint. There are many activities that are allowed on the Sabbath. These challenges take a form of a trial. Jesus puts the leadership on trial.

Work Example: I the Son work, my father is at work too and I do as he does. You do not work. In fact you don’t know what it is because you cannot see or hear the Father. There IS work on the Sabbath. The work of Love, Raising Up, Giving Life, non-Judgment and Honor.

Witness Example: John is witness and testifies. You listened to him and even accepted him for a while. My testimony is my work. The work is work of the Father. Scripture describes all of this to you but you refuse to find me in the scriptures even as Moses proclaimed.

 Breaking the Sabbath can also be translated “Setting the Sabbath free”.
 Work of the Son – Chiastic Structure form John 5:19-30. V 24 and 25 center
 Witness to Jesus. You interrogated John. My testimony is greater (Signs).
 Critical Thought: Jn 5:39-40. Search the Scripture for me not for ‘not wanting to come’.
 Unbelief – Moses wrote about me. Why don’t you believe him?

Reference: https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/gospel-of-john-outline-final.pdf

First reading
Brothers and sisters: Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
Behave like God as his very dear children.

Alleluia Verse
Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

Gospel Portion
the teaching.

Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?”

The really hard question is (and this will sting!)

WHO do YOU want to remain in BONDAGE in the NAME of FAITH? (but really an exercise of your power and control).

OUCH!

It’s not a question for everyone and in public it is risky to challenge ourselves to the task of self-examination and the misuse of the self-examination by others thinking on a different plain.

• Sabbath Rest takes on a whole new meaning.
• Sabbath Worship takes on a whole new meaning.

How certain they were of their understanding and application of law.
How very wrong they were.

There IS work on the Sabbath.

The work of Love, Raising Up, Giving Life, non-Judgment and Honor.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry