September 3, 2022
Satide for di Twenty-Second Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church—Memorial
Listen for English
As Jesus dey pass through one grain farm on one Sabbath, His disciples dey pluck the heads of grain, rub them for their hands, and chop them. Some Pharisees talk say, “Why una dey do wetin law no allow for Sabbath?” Luke 6:1-2
See as dem dey find fault for small thing! Here, hunger dey catch the disciples. E fit be say dem don dey waka with Jesus for some time when dem see some wheat and pluck am to chop as dem dey waka. And the Pharisees condemn dem because dem do this normal thing. Dem really break the law and offend God because dem pluck and chop this grain?
The answer wey Jesus give make am clear say the Pharisees really dey confused and say the disciples no do anything wrong. But this passage still give us chance to reflect on one spiritual danger wey some people dey fall into sometimes. Na the danger of worry about sin wey pass wetin e suppose be.
We no know whether na so e happen, but if one or more of the disciples dey struggle with this kind worry about sin, and dem come hear the Pharisees condemn dem because dem chop the grain, dem fit don feel regret and guilt at once for wetin dem do. Dem for don begin fear say dem guilty of breaking God command to keep the Sabbath holy. But dem need to see this excessive worry about sin for wetin e really be, and dem need to recognise wetin stir am up and tempt dem to worry like that.
Di “thing wey tempt dem” na di wrong way wey di Pharisees take present God law, wey dem carry go too far. Yes, God law dey perfect, and we must always follow am reach even di smallest detail. But for people wey dey struggle with too much fear say dem don sin even when dem never sin, e easy to twist God law and carry am pass wetin e mean. Human laws and di wrong way wey people take present God law fit cause confusion. And for di Scripture wey dey above, na di pride and harshness of di Pharisees stir up di temptation. Di disciples no offend God at all as dem pluck grain chop for Sabbath. So, di Pharisees dey try put load wey no come from God on top di disciples.
We too fit face temptation to look at God law and will with excessive worry about sin. Even though many people dey do the opposite—dem no dey take am serious enough—some people truly dey struggle with worry say dem don offend God when dem no offend Am at all.
Today, reflect on your own struggle with excessive worry about sin. If na so e be for you, know say God want free you from these loads.
Lord, help me make I see Your law and wetin You want for di light of truth. Help me make I leave every wrong idea and wrong way of presenting Your law, and accept di truths of Your perfect love and mercy instead. Make I hold on tight to dat mercy and love for everything and above everything. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of Today – Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
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