The Feast of St Lawrence Brindisi OFM, Priest and Doctor of the Church.
"Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
"When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”
"He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat?
"Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent?
"I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.” (Matthew 12: 1 - 8).
Friday July 21st 2023 is the Feast of St Lawrence Brindisi, OFM. (1559 - 1613). Priest and Doctor of the Church. Italian.
St Lawrence belonged to the Capuchin Order of the Franciscan family. Lawrence is an extraordinary man who used well the lavish gifts God bestowed on him.
The Church remembers him for his profound knowledge and love for Sacred Scripture, the Holy Spirit, Prayer and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Apropos Sacred Scriptures, Lawrence says:
“The Word of the Lord is a light for the mind and a fire for the will, so that man may know and love God.… It is a weapon against a heart stubbornly entrenched in vice. It is a sword against the flesh, the world, and the devil, to destroy every sin.”
Lawrence became an authority in the sacred Word and was recognized all over Europe during his time and became a Doctor of the Church.
In the Gospel for today, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of God’s purpose for the Sabbath.
"Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy." (Exodus 20: 8).
The command to set apart the Sabbath is very important as seen from the way it is treated in Sacred Scriptures. It is the exaggerated concern for the obligation and sanctity of the Sabbath Rest that gave rise to hundreds of minutiae rules concerning the basic command to keep holy the Lord's Day.
Throughout the Christian history, the Magisterium of the Church has not only expounded on the sacred character of the Sabbath but has taught that the Sabbath was instituted for the enjoyment of the People of God.
It is a day of worship of God. A day of rest for the whole family from the hustle and bustle involved in making a living. It is a day to enjoy the parks, watch Christian movies. It is a day to visit the sick in the hospital.
The Sabbath Rest is Rehearsal for Eternal life. One day, there will be no work. By obeying the law of the Sabbath, you build up your faith in this promise of God. God plans to redeem man and creation from the present servitude to work.
It is more enjoyable to keep holy the Lord's Day than to do anything unlawful on the Sabbath Rest.
"With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. "The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." (CCC 2173).
Rejoice in God's generous provision of the Sunday Rest and use it to grow in spiritual and human maturity.
We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1
No comments:
Post a Comment
23-Psalm1to2