Pleases him

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." - John 8:29 

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Today’s passage is really interesting. It starts with the tentative plan of the Pharisees to use Christ to punish a a woman caught in adultery. Jesus reaction was really wise and avoid giving a sentence and said to the Pharisees “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” No one of them did anything and began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. No one of them were sin free and the cover message is “ better think about each own situation than to judge people because often those who give sentence is worst than the person judged.

The other important point is in the passage 11 : “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” The key word here is FORGIVE and REDEMPTION. All people have an opportunity to have a second chance to live a right and clean life. The most important thing is to avoid keeping dangerous behavior for their own morality, understand where mistakes have been done and strive ourselves to not repeat, 

Next passage is primary for understanding completely the word FAITH. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In my opinion faith means to believe in things you are not able to see. Trust in the LORD is basic to live a life following right feelings and not chasing foolish distractions.

The Pharisees tried to discredit Christ by accusing him to be a fake, a liar. The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

But Jesus replied to them than they didn’t know who were him came from and where he was going. The Pharisees tried to challenge Jesus by making him angry in order to have a reaction by him. But Jesus kept on answering that he was sent by his Father. "I am one who testifies about myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

Last remarkable part is at passage 29-30 when Christ says that the LORD is always with him and that he is never alone. These words struck many people that believed in him: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. Even as he spoke, many believed in him.”

Reflection on John 8:1-30 by Ivan

Vae | Woe

He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won't even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. - Luke 11:46

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Jesus says in this Gospel fragment many harsh words. It might be in opposition to image of Jesus and Christianity. Is not Jesus telling people to be nice to each other? And is not Christianity a religion of nice timid people who would not say anything hurtful? Some might think so, but it is not completely true. 

Yes, we are called by Jesus to love each other but that does not mean just being a "nice person".  At times, we need to say harsh things because that is what love - willing a good of the other - might be about and what love calls us to do. We are not to stay blind and deaf to actions and words of others that need pointing out or correction. We are not to pretend that everything is just fine as it is when it is not so. And then, we need to react, even use at times  harsh words, if that is what love necessitates.

It is not easy. Many of us might prefer to just ignore the problem, pretend that everything is alright rather than utter any correcting, possibly harsh words. Because we can be sure that the reaction will most probably not be friendly. People might get angry, become hostile, oppose us, like the Pharisees that plotted against Jesus. Thus, we need courage and Jesus will give us this courage. 

Jesus gave us the example of how to love and we are supposed to follow this example. It is often difficult and harsh. Love is not just a sweet nice thing. As Jesus loved us to the death, to the Cross, we also should strive to love like Him, regardless the reactions of those who we are to love.

Reflection on Luke 11: 37-54 by Agata Wierzbowska

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Dominus Sabatti | Lord of the Sabbath

"Then Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." ‐ Luke 6:5 (NIV)

 

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Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grain fields on the Sabbath day and the disciples were hungry. They were harvesting some grain to eat and Jesus let them. The Pharisees questioned the disciples of doing unlawful things on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them of how David entered the house of God, took the sacred bread ‐ which was only for priests, to eat together with his companions because they were hungry (v.1‐4).

On another Sabbath Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. There was a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely. They wanted to see if Jesus would heal him so that they could accuse Him of breaking the law of Sabbath. Jesus did heal the man. He knew their thoughts. He asked every one of which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it (v.6‐10).

God in Isaiah 58:13 (NLT) says, "Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly." It is the motive that counts. Whose interest do we pursue?

Honor the Sabbath in fact is not about following a set of rules, with the winner is the most obedient one who has never broken the laws. The Pharisees honored the law and valued legalistic behavior more than the True Savior Himself, Jesus Christ. They ignored His love behind the good deeds on Sabbath, but sought ways to destroy Him (v.11). They could not even admit the mighty power He had, although verse 19 describes, "Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone."

Let's delight in our Savior, Jesus Christ, for He is Lord of the Sabbath! (v.5). He is way higher than the laws. We are not perfect, but He understands. In terms of salvation, the religious rules do not save us, but Jesus does. Because we fail many times and incline to sin. Moreover, He is also Lord over any infirmities, even any demons (v.18).

Approaching the end of the passage, Jesus in verse 22‐23 said," What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven…" Amen, thank you Lord Jesus. To YOU be the glory forever and ever.

Reflection on Luke 6:1‐26 by Desire Litaay

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Vae pharisaeis (Lk. 11:43)

Hypocrisy happens when we demand people to do something but we don't do it ourselves. This mentality will make someone consider himself as important and better than others.

The Lord Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who were the religious leaders at that time. Their position in religious life made them socially respected as well. The same thing happened to the Scribes, those who knew well about the law. They liked to emphasize the religious law but Jesus knew that they didn't do it themselves; they didn’t follow that law.

A leader must lead his or her people not only by words but especially by example of life like Jesus did. And the Jewish religious leaders at that time did not have this good attitude. That’s why Jesus condemned such an attitude because it was hypocrisy.

All of us are disciples of Jesus. He sends us to serve, not to be served. Therefore we must be examples of faith and love in action for others.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.