Lenten Reflection for Day 11
Date: March 5, 2012
Author: Mariann Shaffer
Bible Passage: Mark 3:2–5 (NRSV)
2 They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” 4 Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Reflection:
This biblical passage reminds us of the Doctrine or “Dogma” of the Old Testament law (Exodus 35:5) “Do not even light a fire in your homes on the Sabbath.” Howard reminded me of a story he heard from our former minister in MA. His prior church was in Brocton, MA. In cold weather, he and his children would go each Saturday to turn on the heat at an Orthodox neighbors’ home. It seems strange to me that this ancient religious practice continues to be observed in modern times. It reminded me that the “laws” were a constant in Jesus time and still observed today. It is no wonder that the Jews were in two worlds…one of strict obedience of the “law” and not able to understand what Jesus was about in healing on the Sabbath. How extraordinary was this act of Jesus! Praise God for this gift of freedom through Christ. The author of this passage in our study book, Kathleen Norris, turns the word “Dogma” into “Beauty” in terms of our liturgical worship. This is something we all can ponder in our individual journey .
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, today we pray and thank you for the beauty in worship and understanding of our rich experience in the traditions of the Mass. Allow our hearts and minds to see the beauty in stories, poems, hymns in the spirit and understanding of Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment