THE MEMORIAL OF ST AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
MEMORIAL OF ST AGNES. VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
THE SABBATH IS MADE FOR MAN.
THE GOODNEWS:
"As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.
“At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
"He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?”
"Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2: 23 - 28).
Tuesday January 21st in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. Her name is in the Roman Canon of the Mass along with Saints Agatha and Lucy. All were virgins and martyrs.
In our Gospel of today, Mark 2: 23 - 28, Jesus is entangled in a Sabbath controversy with the religious leaders.
Jesus silenced them by saying: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2: 27 - 28).
You, what do you consider lawful to do on the Sabbath [Sunday]?
The Sabbath Rest is a key aspect of Judaism. The Sabbath day is sacred. The Sabbath Rest is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Christianity being the daughter of Judaism adopted the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Sacred Magisterium of the Church (Teaching Authority) made Sunday the Day of Rest instead of the Sabbath (Saturday) because of the Resurrection of Jesus on Sunday.
Make no mistake about it, the requirement for the Sabbath Rest has not changed under Christianity. "Keep Holy the Lord's Day" is one of the most positive and beneficial commandments of the Decalogue. Let us list a few reasons:
#1 Sunday becomes a Day of Rest for the entire family.
#2 Sunday is the Day of mandatory worship of God in the Holy Eucharist.
#3 Sunday is a Day of exercise of faith in God who ordered the rest and promised to provide fully for the day.
#4 Sunday rest is rehearsal for eternal life. When this life ends, there will be no more work. It will be an eternity of enjoyment of the most beautiful Liturgies, music, flowers, perfumes and other pleasures which eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has it ever entered the mind of man what God has prepared for those who love and obey Him.
Jesus observed the Sabbath scrupulously and desires His followers to do the same.
The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.
“How great is Your name O Lord, our God, through all the earth!”
“And it shall come to pass that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered.”
“No one can say “Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.”
“She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”
JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!
For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:
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