Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - Wednesday in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 7:1-3, 15-17 and Mark 3:1-6]"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" [Mark]
JANUARY 21 ST. AGNES, virgin and martyr
The observance of the sabbath is a fundamental element of Jewish faith. It is rooted in the creation story in Genesis and enshrined in the Sinai covenant of the Ten Commandments. Volumes and volumes of writings grew up around what might be done on a Sabbath. There were exceptions like the temple workers who had to "work" to get the ritual sacrifices taken care of. And Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees on one occasion that even they took their animals to water or rescued them from a pit on a sabbath. Nevertheless, a threat to this fundamental observance would elicit hostility. That is what happened on the occasion in today's gospel. Is mercy and healing more important than the observance of the sabbath?
The story unfolds on two levels. There is the man with the withered hand who is healed in the synagogue, and the larger opposition to Jesus by the religious authorities. The evangelist points this out when he notes that the Pharisees were plotting with some of Herod's people (whom they would ordinarily shun with contempt) to kill Jesus! I cannot help but think of some of the opposition being experienced by Pope Francis who continually urges mercy even as we continue our traditions. I also think of the ongoing synod debates on how to reach out to those who have become alienated from the church and sacraments because of their marital situation. If these things concern us, perhaps we can find some response in the way Jesus acted. I surely hope so. AMEN
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