What are Sundays for?

Readings for Friday October 30, 2009

First Reading: Romans 9:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147
Gospel: Luke 14:1-6


On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question. (Lk 14:1-6)

What are Sundays for? Many people think that Sundays are for football and tailgating. Others use it for cleaning days and/or to catch up with their other weekly responsibilities. Others decided to go to work on those days. I would have to admit that I am guilty of all of the above. I know that a constant struggle in our family is to remember that Sunday's are for the Lord, not for us. They are meant to be days of rest; God even took a break on the seventh day of creation, not because He needed it, but to show its importance. Sunday's are meant for us to leave our work and to do God's work. Now sometimes that may be situations that we need to do some cleaning or go to our jobs; but when we do this we have a chance to glorify Him in our works.

In today's gospel, Jesus did not hesitate to cure the man with dropsy. He did this because He wants us to know that the most important thing that we are called to is to do God's work in this world, not just take it easy. While it is certainly important that we rest, it is more important that we do His will.

I would like to challenge all of us to begin thinking how we can each make Sunday's more about God, and about His work. We should not just think about Him at mass, but rather the whole day. I think that if we could all do this both in our individual lives and in our families we would begin seeing a big difference in our Sundays and in our weeks.

May God bless each of you and your families.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, help us each to let go of the worldly things and desires that we have and to give in to what you will and what you desire. Lord, thank you for our lives and for all that you bless us with. We pray for all of our priests and religious, may they be strengthened in their ministries and in their vows. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.