The Pharisees invited Jesus to dine on a sabbath. Then they set Jesus up for a conflict by placing an obviously ill man directly in front of Him, daring Jesus to heal on a sabbath. The ill man was not a guest at the supper. This is clearly indicated by the action of Jesus in sending him home after he was healed (Lk 14:4), mercifully sending him home to spare him further humiliation and isolation. The Pharisees manipulated and used this man suffering from dropsy; Jesus healed him and set him free.
Jesus then suffered and died so that those who deceitfully trapped and cornered Him could be saved. St. Paul stated that he would willingly be separated from Christ for eternity if the Jews, those who tormented him for so many years, could be saved (Rm 9:3). Jewish leaders hunted Paul down, falsely accused him, and tried to tear him to pieces (see Acts 23:10). Yet Paul could even wish to be separated from Christ forever so that they could be saved.
This is the mind of Christ: to die for enemies (Mt 5:44ff), to give up your life for them (Rm 5:8). Even while your enemies plot against you, be like Jesus. Think only of how much you want them to be saved. Be willing to suffer for love of sinful enemies.
| PRAYER: | Father, give me the faith and love to zealously share my faith in You. |
| PROMISE: | Jesus "took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way." –Lk 14:4 |
| PRAISE: | St. Martin received the grace to forgive those who hurled racial insults at him when he prayed before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College