THE SON OF MAN IS THE LORD OF THE SABBATH


FRIDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Reflection from Friar Nicholas Okeke, OP 

Isa 38:1-6,21-22,7-8; Isa 38:10-12,16; Mt 12:1-8

The Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath

The first reading presents us with a good example of God’s providential care of a faithful soul in time of his trials and pains. King Hezekiah of Judah was faithful in following God; his purification was through bodily pains caused by a malignant ulcer. The purifying pains and suffering came to a stage where his life was on the line. The suffering king must have prayed so many times for God’s healing to no avail. We are familiar with such situations when we prayed for healing and got no response from God; when it seemed that God was not paying attention to our painful pliant. God is always attentive, for nothing happens without his knowledge. None of our thoughts, cries, or sorrows escape his notice. In the case of King Hezekiah, to let him know that he was very much acquainted with his situation, he sent his prophet to inform him of his impending death. With a better understanding of God's providence, we can say that he sent the prophet to strengthen the faith of the king and help him make a more concerted prayer to God. That was what the king did. “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and addressed this prayer to the Lord, ‘Ah, Lord, remember, I beg you, how I have behaved faithfully and with sincerity of heart in your presence and done what is right in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah shed many tears.”

God revealed his closeness to the king to aid him in praying in faith. We notice his manner of prayer, which was deep and God-centred, he addressed his prayer to God within himself. Though God sent the message through the prophet, he prayed directly to God in faith. God heard him for he hears, sees, and rewards all that is done with faith and in secret. He gave him extra time of fifteen years to live. “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days’ time you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life.” We learn from this interaction of the king with God that God is well acquainted with our condition or situation in life, he is the one who permits our afflictions, sicknesses, and pains; he also heals our sicknesses and brings us consolation and solace in our pains and suffering. We take note of God’s liberty to cure the king with a fig poultice applied to the ulcer. Hence, whichever means we are healed, we must always understand that God is the one healing us, for he makes everything work together for our good and well-being. We also understand that God, who gives life, takes it whenever he pleases. We are to please him in all things by doing his bidding.

The divine authority of God in every aspect of our human life is what the Lord teaches us in the gospel. The condition for entering into the life of God is the conformity of our will to the divine will in all things. The purpose of sending us his word is that we may know and live by his holy will. Everything willed by God’s holy will is life and perfect goodness for us his children. When he sends trials and pains, they bring us life and never death. To die doing the will of God is to enter into the fullness of life in God, and to live and not do the will of God is to die spiritually and eternally. Thus, whoever is found with the word of God is truly pleasing to God and in communion with him. This is the lesson our Lord taught the Pharisees when they criticised his disciples for doing what was forbidden on the Sabbath day. “Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry—how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone?” He ended by stating that the Son of Man is the master of the Sabbath. The deep meaning of the words of our Lord is that God does and orders everything here on earth for the good of those who love his will. Thus, St. Paul asks if there is anything God would deny us when he did not spare his Only Begotten Son whom he offered for our salvation.

Let us pray: Grant us, Lord, the grace to deeply penetrate the depth of your love for us which beyond all understanding, that we may willingly accept your loving providence in our lives every day 

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