Daily Meditation - Tuesday 22nd Jan 2008 - THE SABBATH IS MADE FOR MAN NOT MAN FOR THE SABBATH

[BarbaraTherese]

Please do feel free to post into these Daily Meditation threads any thoughts or sharings which will be most welcome.

Two Mormon young men missionaries came to my door a few weeks ago and remarked on the small nativity crib on my front verandah as well as the sign “Bethany” near the front door. I gave them cold water as it was a very hot day and sent them off on their journey with the consideration that we should affirm where we do agree, rather than arguing over doctrinal issues. That Christianity is all about a certain spirit. I conveyed to them that I thought that doctrinal issues were very important as truth is indeed an objective matter, but that the ‘rank and file’ like us were not going to sort these doctrinal issues out, that in all probability and likelihood it would be up to our intelligentia and our theologians…and that the ‘rank and file’ like us had something very important to contribute to the whole - a living and active spirit of fraternity. I think I really gave the younger of the two especially something to ponder. I hope so. I did not want to get into doctrinal issues and argue and I knew never arrive at agreement, rather I wanted to share with them a sense of fraternity and mutuality as human beings loved by God.

DAILY MASS READINGS
usccb.org/nab/012208.shtml

Further reflection: Tuesday: 22 January 2008 - Mark 2,23-28
“The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath”
The reflection contains some very important background to today’s readings, and some important considerations.
Access the link above and then scroll down to “Reflections”.

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=01&day=22&year=2008&x=2&y=9

If you’ve ever had a garden, you have learned the importance of weeding. No matter how well you prepare the soil, weeds always seem to come, and left untended, they will take over the garden. Weeding is not just a one-time effort, either. Even if you spend hours removing weeds, you shouldn’t be surprised to see them take root and spread—sometimes very quickly!

During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we can look at the call to ecumenism in many ways. Maybe it’s best if we keep a

“weeder’s mentality.”

The Pharisees in today’s Gospel criticized Jesus because his followers weren’t following their rules. In the Old Testament, Samuel couldn’t believe David was chosen by God because he was too young. These types of judgmental or dismissive thoughts have just as much potential to bring disunity as weeds have to take over a garden.

What kind of thoughts do you have when you look at members of other churches? Do you find yourself quick to condemn or open and generous?

If you find yourself on the condemning side, take hold of these thoughts and bring them to the cross of Christ—even if they are only deep-down thoughts that you never give voice to.

Each one of us can become an agent of healing and reconciliation to the degree to which we deal with any negative attitudes that lurk in our hearts

.
Brothers and sisters, Christian unity need not remain a lofty goal that we can’t really influence. By taking our own thoughts captive and actively sowing seeds of generosity and forgiveness, all of us can be personally involved in healing the body of Christ.

We may not have a direct effect on the leaders of the world’s Christian religions, but we will affect the world around us, making it ripe for reconciliation and ready for ecumenism.

So bring your negative thoughts to the cross this week, and then watch to see how much more peaceful you are inside. You’ll find yourself looking at people through God’s eyes, and that will make you more able to bring his loving presence into the world. “Father in heaven, Father of all, use me to bring reconciliation in the church today! Let me be an agent of healing, to bring unity to your divided people!”