Great Question

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103125.cfm

If you have been reading or paying attention to the Gospels for any amount of time, you already know that Jesus LOVES to ask questions. As a matter of fact, there are only a few instances of Jesus directly answering questions, but usually responds with a question of His own. I would love to have this as a super power. The asking of good questions is extremely powerful.

In today's Gospel, Jesus sees exactly how things are playing out. Some scripture commentaries even suggest that this man with dropsy might be planted there by the Pharisees to help them trap Jesus, as they have heard of Him healing on the Sabbath before. Jesus uses a question to get to the heart of the matter in a way that does not let them just apply their preconceived notions about the purpose of the sabbath.

God created the sabbath as a dedicated 'date night' with His people. When we are helping others, or sometimes busying ourselves preparing a meal for guests, or stopping to help someone change a tire, we are with God, because whatever we do for the 'least of my brothers' we are doing for and with Him. God wanted us to dedicate this day (He set the example by resting on the seventh day) to resting with Him.

One of the saddest things that has happened in America is that we have lost the value of the Sabbath. What used to be the day of family dinners and gatherings, or visiting grandma has become just another day for sports tournaments. Even school athletics have practice on Sunday mornings (I've dealt with it). Its become another day to 'get our chores done'. I will say that I have often spent a Sunday working on a project with my brothers and it turns into a family event.

The Sabbath is not just about going to Church. It is about honoring God by spending time with Him, both in worship and in fellowship. We can never forget His presence in others as well. This is why Jesus points out that it's great to help others (even if they are farm animals) on the Sabbath.

In Jewish culture, they did nothing at all on Sundays, every seven years a patch of land was rested with no crops grown on it. Every seven times seven years, there was a Jubilee and slaves were set free and lands were returned to their original owners. In contrast our 'squeezing in an hour for Mass', their efforts seem much more significant. Jesus was NOT SAYING to ignore the Sabbath. He was saying to honor it with the right heart.

So here is my question: How will we honor the Sabbath? Plan for worship and fellowship. Prepare for Mass by reviewing the readings ahead of time. Think about what people in your family need. Plan a dinner. Minimize activities that are not fellowship or worship. These are just a few thought prompts. Take some time to be intentional about your Sunday, and I am sure that your will answer the question well and be blessed by the result.