First Reading: Is 49: 8-15
Gospel Reading: Jn 5:17-30
During the first
Exodus Journey, the Israelites faced hunger and thirst. The first reading of
today presents to us a kind of a second Exodus journey where the Lord promises
a glorious return of the exiles from Babylon. This journey shall be without
hunger and thirst. The Lord reveals his Compassion, love and concern for his
people. Jesus continues to show the mercy and compassion of God through doing
good works even on the Sabbath. The Old Law which was given by Moses prohibited
Servile work on the Sabbath. It was a day of rest and worship of God. Moses
before he ended his leadership, promised that God would raise a prophet like
him among the Israelites and perhaps Jesus is the prophet that Moses foretold.
Jesus then is the new Moses. He is the founder of the new Law. Jesus
re-interprets the law for us and we have to follow the new teaching as given by
Jesus.
Jesus’ attitude
of continuing to do good works on the Sabbath is a sign that he is displeased
with the way the pharisees handled the Sabbath law and Jesus slowly shifts our
focus to the first day of the week and not the Sabbath. The first day of the
Week will not only be a day of worshipping God but a day to do good works and
humble service. Sunday is not a day to commit scandals, thus, alongside
worshipping God on Sunday, we ought to visit the sick, poor, prisoners, elderly
and the abandoned. Jesus is teaching us never to grow tired of doing works of
mercy and compassion.
May this Lenten
season be a period of learning to do good through Alms giving, prayer
especially praying for the deceased and those who have no one to pray for them
and self-denial.
Landus Bwambale
IV Year Theology
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