Unveiling the True Essence of the Sabbath: Jesus’ Message for Our Spiritual Journey
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
Unveiling the True Essence of the Sabbath: Jesus’ Message for Our Spiritual Journey
W hen one attentively studies the scriptures, they encounter two distinct yet complementary statements about the origin and significance of the Sabbath.
The homily delves into the concept of resting on the seventh day, as God did after completing creation, signifying a rest from the goodness of the work accomplished during the previous six days.
Moving forward in the scriptures, we find Moses speaking about the Sabbath. He reminds the people that they were once slaves, deprived of rest, but now the Lord declares that they should not enslave themselves to endless labor without rest. It is a call to rest not only in the goodness of their work but also in the goodness of salvation. The Homily expands on this theme.
Furthermore, the Gospel narrative portrays Jesus and His hungry disciples walking through a grain field. The disciples pick grain to eat, prompting the Pharisees to question Jesus about this act. Here, irony surfaces. The Pharisees claim to follow the Lord’s will through the Law but attempt to correct Jesus, questioning His disciples’ actions.
This irony is not uncommon in the spiritual life. Many desire to follow the Lord. Yet they often attempt to direct Him, showing a lack of true submission in their spiritual journey. Reflecting on this, we come to understand the deeper meaning of the Sabbath and its significance in our spiritual life, which Jesus explains to the Pharisees. For a more in-depth understanding of this topic, you can explore the Meditation Media further.
Unveiling the True Essence of the Sabbath: Jesus’ Message for Our Spiritual Journey