Monday of the 23rd
Week of OT
St. Luke
Institute
September 9,
2013
PUZZLE
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"I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the
Sabbath rather than do evil, to save life rather than destroy it?"
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What R Pharisees so upset about?
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How do events go from 1 having withered hand
restored 2 Pharisees plotting 2 do away w/ J?
PHARISEES have a lot to lose
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Recall Pharisees had rigid, ordered view of faith
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A set time 4 Sabbath prayer & set time 4 work
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There were strict protocols 4 eating & washing
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Fixed social orders & hierarchies
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Failed 2 see - or were desperate 2 avoid – that love of God
united all human experiences
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The Pharisees feared losing authority & superiority
if compassion can interrupt Sabbath
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If forgiveness undermines vengeance
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If God of love displaces vision of God of
judgment
GOD IN THE HUMAN
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Spirit of God embraces every human activity &
God's hand present in every human relationship
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Jesus calls us 2 realize God's presence in every
moment of reconciliation and charity and peace
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This recognition breaks the holy out of the boxes
we confine it in & making every moment a Sabbath of God's goodness
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Yes, it’s easy 2 get caught up in sacred & become
rigid about ritual
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Yes, God’s also in all that is human
CONCLUSION
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When we hear “the
Mass is ended” we know that, while the ritual is over, the presence of God
exists as fully beyond these doors
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That was J’s challenge to the Pharisees and they
would have not part of it
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