First reading Romans 9:1-5
I would willingly be condemned if it could help my brothers
What I want to say now is no pretence; I say it in union with Christ – it is the truth – my conscience in union with the Holy Spirit assures me of it too. What I want to say is this: my sorrow is so great, my mental anguish so endless, I would willingly be condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help my brothers of Israel, my own flesh and blood. They were adopted as sons, they were given the glory and the covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for them, and the promises were made to them. They are descended from the patriarchs and from their flesh and blood came Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen.
Responsorial Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates
he has blessed the children within you.
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Gospel Luke 14:1-6
‘Is it against the law to cure a man on the sabbath?’
Now on a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. There in front of him was a man with dropsy, and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees. ‘Is it against the law’ he asked ‘to cure a man on the sabbath, or not?’ But they remained silent, so he took the man and cured him and sent him away. Then he said to them, ‘Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a sabbath day without hesitation?’ And to this they could find no answer.
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The call to be other-centred
Jesus was the guest of one of the leading Pharisees in today’s gospel. However, it was not a friendly meal because they were watching Him closely. A man with dropsy was there at the meal. Most likely, the Pharisees placed him there, not as a guest, but a bait to trap Jesus. What did Jesus do? Did He protect Himself by ignoring the sick man? Jesus was not indifferent but healed him. His main concern was always others, never Himself.
Today, Jesus invites us to be other-centred even if our acts of love and care for others incur opposition and rejection. This is the path of love that He calls us, His disciples, to walk. In this Covid-19 pandemic, let us continue to be other-centred by responding to those whose need is greater than ours.
Question for reflection:
What is Jesus’ message for me today?
What is Jesus’ message for me today?
