Daily Gospel Reflection for September 11, 2023

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 6:6-11

As this is September 11, it is difficult to write a reflection without some of today’s emotions seeping in. I was planning on going in late to work that day, when the first plane hit. The rest is, of course, embedded into the minds of everyone who has memories of that day.

I purposefully chose this day to write a reflection, not because of the Gospel but because of the day. Verse 9 says it all:

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?

Jesus points out that it is not about following the rules to a “T” if we are not doing good. Religion is for bringing us closer to God, not farther away from good. It is about being right with God, not about who is right. It is about saving life, not just for now, but for all eternity.

Jesus then looks right at the scribes and Pharisees and heals the man, waiting for their reactions. But I do not see Jesus looking at them with an “I told you so” look. Rather, it is one of love and sadness because He already knows how they will react. It probably broke His heart that God’s love was not shown that day. Just like it broke my heart, and does every year on this anniversary, to know that life was destroyed rather than saved.

Ponder:

What breaks your heart when you see others trying to be right rather than right with God?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the sabbath and rules to live by. Thank You also for giving us Jesus to show us Your love for life.

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Jesus points out that it is not about following the rules to a “T” if we are not doing good. Religion is for bringing us closer to God, not farther away from good. #DailyGospel

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