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Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours
Jesus and the Sabbath: A New Order of Priority
July 19, 2013
THE SABBATH +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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When I was studying and living in Jerusalem I
learned how seriously Jews take the Sabbath
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From Friday mid-afternoon until Saturday evening
all stores, malls, restaurants closed and all buses, trains and cars came to a
halt
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As sun set, candles lit & prayers of
blessings began
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It was Shabbat, a day of complete rest
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To make it clear, Jews knew the list of 39
things you couldn’t do among them: planting, plowing, making two loops so no
threading a needle, tying or untying, writing, erasing, igniting a fire,
applying a finishing touch
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It was to be a day of complete rest
PHARISEES & THE
SABBATH +++++++++++++++++++++
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In the Gospel we have the Pharisees making the
day of rest into a heavy yoke
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Issue 4 J is, while laws R 2 create complete
rest, there R exceptions 2 laws and he sites 3 situations:
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David & companions allowed to eat the holy
bread of the temple because they were hungry
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Priests in the temple could work on the Sabbath
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Something < than temple here, the K of G
JESUS & THE
SABBATH +++++++++++++++++++++++++
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So with J there is a new order established regarding
the keeping of Sabbath
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The K of G requires at a base level: 3rd
Sabbath Law, 2nd Temple Obligations and 1st & above
all others Mercy & Compassion
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So #1 trumps #2 and #2 trumps #3!
Catholics & the Sabbath +++++++++++++++++++++
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What would our church look like if bishops,
priests and the faithful lived with J’s order of priority?
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How would we treat divorced and remarried?
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Folks with same gender attraction?
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Catholics who have left our Church?
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Atheists?
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The answer to the question “What would Jesus do?”
could have wide ranging implications
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It may be better not to ask it!
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