The Heart of the Sabbath

“The Heart of the Sabbath”
A reflection on Luke 6:1-5 and Matthew 9:36
Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang

While he was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.

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Shabbat Shalom

“Shabbat Shalom”
A reflection on Mark 3:1-6
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
©️2022 by Gloria M. Chang

Again he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He

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Christ Draws the City

“Christ Draws the City”
Mark 1:32-34 “in a snailshell”
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
©️2022 by Gloria M. Chang

On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.

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Set Free on the Sabbath

“Set Free on the Sabbath”
Luke 13:10-17 “in a snailshell”
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang

He was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.

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Jesus’ Last Sabbath

Anastasis, Fresco painting, Chora Church Collection, 11th century

Holy Saturday

Earth received a new and incorruptible seed in her womb when Jesus was laid to rest, wrapped in cloths as in a manger, and perfumed with myrrh, as the Magi anticipated.… Read the rest

Jubilee, Day 4

Jubilee, Day 4”
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang

True freedom is not autonomy, but fidelity to the Lord. The Anointed One who came to “proclaim liberty to captives” in Jubilee fashion (Luke 4:18) took the form of a slave and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). … Read the rest

Jubilee, Day 2

“Jubilee, Day 2”
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang

The laws of the Sabbath day, Sabbatical year, and Jubilee year give shape to our total existence as humans interdependent with the land, animals, and plants. Setting aside one day out of seven, one year out of seven, and one year out of seven times seven years to rest from labor, allowing even the land to rest, declares the sovereignty of God and the primacy of worship.… Read the rest