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.
REFLECTION
"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.
Anyone who loves should be able to answer the above question. So why did no one speak up?
Jesus Christ became man to save us. He taught, preached and eventually was cruelly punished enduring a humiliating and long drawn out death. His closest friends betrayed Him and stood by while He was mocked, whipped, humiliated and treated inhumanely. They did not speak up.
The Creator breathed life into Adam and he became a living soul, the image of His Creator. The Creator became man and was a life giving spirit for all, giving His life to conquer death to bring man back to his heavenly home.
The sick man has dropsy or generalized edema but says nothing. God is merciful love. Though the man with dropsy did not speak, the Lord “heard” his cries and from all distress He saved him. Jesus sees him and filled with compassion, cures his affliction. He pays no attention to what others will say. Nor does he worry what their opinion of Him is. He does what needs to be done, without hesitating and is not afraid or ashamed of loving.
So when we find ourselves performing a virtuous act do not worry about public opinion for one's tendency is to protect our reputations from ridicule, not wanting to stand out from the crowd and going against the mainstream of contemporary opinion. The dinner guests would not speak up for lack of courage of voicing that they should safe the life of their son or their best work animal.
What would the Pharisees say?! What will our Creator and Savior say?
Who do we love and want to please? Only one thing should matter to us --that is what God wants us to do in any given situation. There is nothing less that we can do for the One who suffered death for our sake, even death on the Cross, than to serve Him.
“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?” (1 John 3:7)
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