THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

Meditation for Saturday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time
(Col 1:21-23; Lk 6:1-5)

St Paul recounts the good things that happened to the Colossians as they accepted Jesus. They were saved from their evil deeds, reconciled with God through the death of Jesus Christ, and made holy and blameless and irreproachable before Him. All these will continue to hold if they remain steadfast in faith, not shifting from the hope of the gospel.

This hope in Jesus Christ through the gospel is what the old law and prophets tried to achieve. But the Pharisees and scribes focused on the mere letters of the law and to their own benefits. Jesus condemned their hypocrisy saying, “The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.”

Immediately, we recall St Paul’s message we read yesterday that Jesus Christ is pre-eminent, and in Him is the fullness of divinity. Therefore, He becomes the reason for the law, for in Him is the fulfillment of the law. And our faith in Him becomes our rule of life and our guide for action. That means, for us to follow the details of the law now implies to live in friendship with Jesus; to live for Him, and to act to please Him. Who shall condemn those chosen by God, Christ died for! (Rm 8:33-34). The inheritance of the saints and the riches of God’s kingdom shall be ours if we remain steadfast in faith. Amen.

St Ross of Viterbo, pray for us! Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Saturday September 4th, 2021.
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