Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
For a group that likes to point out the rules of the Sabbath, I would think the Pharisees would just give it a rest and leave Jesus be! As today's gospel reading from Luke showcases - yet again - the most reverent and loyal to the Scriptures were at the same time so distrusting and accusatory to the Son of Man, the Lord of the Sabbath.
Yet, just like His many other encounters with the Pharisees, Jesus does not scold or harshly admonish them. He chooses not to take the fire and brimstone path and send down thunderbolts from the skies (though, I’m sure the fully human side of Him might have thought about it).
Instead, He responds with the Scriptures, the only path to the narrow openness of their minds - to then eventually speak ever so softly to their hearts. And every time, it never fails to silence those that sought to convict Jesus of being against the very Word of God He came to fulfill (and that He truly is).
Again, Jesus could easily dismiss their trite complaints and shout, "Could you lay off? It's just some grain!" I know that in my own hurried life I often look at those who pick on the most insignificant thing and just want to call out their shallowness.
Or, Jesus could simply look into their hearts and publicly name the very hypocrisies in their own lives. That would show them - or would it?
As a Christian disciple, I see my mission as choosing to not be so quick to aggression or eager to convict others. The ultimate goal I strive for (and often fail at) is to find the common ground, a common language even, to not put down others but to speak a common truth. In this way, the attention is drawn away from what makes us different and towards the reality, the truth that brings us closer.
Don’t worry - this is not something done perfectly without practice. But, especially in this day of age, we must try and continue to ask Jesus for the spirit to engage in better dialogue.
To have the patience of Jesus to not speak the first ill phrase that comes to mind.
To have the intuition of Jesus to think of something constructive to share.
To have the gravitas of Jesus to let certain things go and be able to move forward even when the loud, destructive actions of others dampen the quiet, hidden goodness we do.
“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” and, as we enter the Sabbath, maybe you can reflect: What word or phrase did you speak to someone you wish you could have back? Can you make amends with that person or persons? What is a truth you can share that will resonate and connect with them?
If we can grow even just a little bit in the way we choose to speak, then our words can begin to change hearts. Allowing God’s Word to flow through us rather their our fickleness - these are the little moments that bring forth the kingdom here and now.
-Joe Oliveri