MEMORIAL OF ST PETER CLAVER, SJ.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST PETER CLAVER, SJ.
JESUS HEALS THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND ON THE SABBATH.
"On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
"The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
"But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there.
"Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
"Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus." (Luke 6: 6 - 11).
Monday September 9th in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Peter Claver of the Society of Jesus. (1580 - 1654). A Spanish Priest, Religious and Missionary.
St Peter Claver served for over 40 years African slaves dumped at the South American seaport of Cartagena now Colombia. During 40 years, he fed the slaves, cared for the sick and dying. He preached the Good News to them and baptized over 300,000.
It would be humanly impossible for the slaves and Peter Claver to heed these words of Jesus and obey it:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Matthew 5: 43 - 48).
But grace overcame nature and the slaves taught by St Peter Claver loved their persecutors as Jesus did from the Cross.
St Peter Claver is called the "Slave of slaves." God gave him great love and patience for the suffering slaves. Peter took many of them with him to heaven.
The Gospel of today is another Sabbath controversy which Jesus seems to relish.
For the opponents of Jesus, the Scribes and Pharisees almost no work is permitted on the Sabbath.
On this point, Jesus asked them:
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
The scribes and Pharisees refused to answer the question. Jesus then turned to the man with the withered hand and said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored."
The Scribes and Pharisees distorted God's original plan for the Sabbath. Jesus came not to abolish the Mosaic Law but to complete it.
The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. While it true that the primary purpose of the Sabbath is Rest and Worship, it is a day of Rest above all. What type of Rest? Rest that restores human body and mind from the wears and tears of labor.
For the Sabbath is a Rehearsal for Eternal life. One day, there will be no work when Jesus Christ restores All Things in Himself. Jesus observed the Sabbath during His few years of ministry. For centuries, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church has stressed the importance of the Sabbath Rest.
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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