By Kulandai Albert csc –
Readings: Phil 1:1-11; Lk 14:1-6
The liturgy of the word invites us to choose the best on sabbath day through which we may be found rich in the kingdom of God. In the first reading, St. Paul prays for the people of Philippi so that they may choose the best for their life. In the gospel reading, Jesus is so critical that he confronts the Pharisees for being inhuman on the ordinary people on the Sabbath day. Because of the rigidity of the Sabbath day, ordinary people suffered in their daily life.
The other point on Sabbath is the blind following of the rules, because of which rules became more important than the life of the people. In our life also, most of the time we are so rigid on rules and regulations that we forget their main purpose.
When some rules or regulations are outdated, it is necessary to change them according to the signs of the time. For example, in India, the government is proposing many new policies which are reformation of old. This shows that policies should change according to the needs of the people and signs of the time. But sometimes, some people in the government misuse the policies for their selfish benefits instead of that of the people.
Therefore, Jesus invites each and every one of us to look at the rules and regulations for the benefits of all and follow them with an open mind, so that we may be found rich in the kingdom of God.