Daily Gospel Reflection for July 21, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Over the years, the Pharisees had transitioned to nitpicking in their “law-making,” laying heavy and senseless burdens on the Jewish faithful. Their power had gone to their heads. Granted, the Sabbath was the day that God had given to His people, a day of rest, to turn their gaze more fully upon Him, to refresh and renew their faith, and fully recognize their need of God. The original laws were meant to free the faithful from unnecessary work on the Sabbath, while seeking rest and refreshment in their Creator. However, by the time of Jesus's birth, the list of things they couldn’t do on the Sabbath had become very long and lost its original design. The faithful had such a long list of dos and don’ts, that the day of rest was eclipsed by fear and stress.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and returns to the faithful the proper understanding of resting on the Sabbath (and to us, as well, on the new Sabbath). It’s more of a heart thing than a what-is-and-isn’t-allowed attitude. The Pharisees chose to weigh the faithful down, while Jesus weaves our seventh day rest into the love and wisdom of a merciful God. Christ uses His authority to rebuke the Pharisees in their duplicity.

If I’m putting God first, with Mass attendance my first priority, praying a Rosary with my husband, visiting my children’s families, or even working a caregiver shift, I know that God sees the charity in my actions and blesses me on that day. There are things that I try to refrain from on Sunday, like shopping, yard work, and other strenuous physical labor, but not with a Pharisaical focus. Above all else, on Sundays, I cling to God’s mercy and compassion.

Ponder:

Do I take the new Sabbath (Sunday) seriously, by making God (along with His mercy, compassion and sacrifice) the focus of my day?

Pray:

Holy Trinity, help me to see the Sunday Mass obligation as the gift that it is, calling me regularly into Your presence, that I may be refreshed and serve You well.

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The Sabbath was the day that God had given to His people, a day of rest, to turn their gaze more fully upon Him, to refresh and renew their faith, and fully recognize their need of God. #DailyGospel

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