Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8
One Sabbath
Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick
some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Luke 6:1-2
Today we celebrated Boy Scout Sunday. Troop representatives introduced themselves, participated and worshiped with us. This service also marked the first time Rosie volunteered to be Assisting Minister and she brought a fine reverence to the role.
Pastor Emillie preached in her sermon how much she is struck by the Pharisees' concerns in the Bible accounts being so similar to the concerns we have today. For example given this Gospel text; what is the best way to remember Sabbath and keep it holy?
The Torah 's prescribed punishment for breaking Sabbath was death, usually by stoning. In contrast, by Jesus' time, executions for Sabbath violations were rare.
Instead, religious authorities probably imposed social ostracism,
exclusion from the synagogue, or other disciplinary measures. Now anybody would be hard pressed to find any agreement on a proper way to observe Sabbath
Changes in Sabbath observance are obviously documented in the Bible The consequences of Sabbath violations in the New Testament became equivalent to breaking social norms today, or what might be called common sense. Common sense has been on my mind since last week, when the U.S. President proclaimed at his inauguration this is a time to return to a "revolution of common sense".
This week after the plane-helicopter crash in Washington this president appeared at a press conference. He first performed his traditional presidential duty as consoler-in-chief during a time of tragedy. He observed the country was in mourning, shared his condolences during "an hour of anguish", and paid tribute to first responders and the victims.
Then he sharply pivoted - providing yet another reminder of how his new presidency is going to be very different. It will be combative. It will be unscripted. And it will be quick to point the finger of blame intoning."We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas." He speculated, without giving evidence, that a lowered standard of hiring for air traffic controllers in the Federal Aviation Administration during the Joe Biden and Barack Obama presidencies may have factored in the disaster, namely Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. Asked how he could blame diversity programs for the crash when the investigation had only just begun, the president coldly responded: "Because I have common sense."
This disrespects everyone questioning that assumption and his reasoning. This compromises the value of the NTSB investigation and their future, eventual recommendations. Leaping to conclusions and giving the reason as "common sense" is wrong on many levels.
At our Wednesday discussion of this Gospel reading Pastor Emillie talked about the difference between what she now sees here on a Sunday and when she went to Minnesota, where all the businesses close on Sunday. I remember when the routine that she saw was the more or less common practice when I was young. Many found that particular practice meaningful then but obviously that lost value over time.
What Jesus taught and did in his life can be a guiding light for the next way to remember God's commandment. Jesus said “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” The Sabbath is made for man. We remember at Easter that Jesus' resurrection happened on a Sunday.The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), which means "thanksgiving" or "gratitude." Creator remembers Jesus through Communion every week. When I was young this happened in the worship service once a month. I usually write blog entries and reflect on our worship experiences.
Remembering the Sabbath day and keeping it holy will remain our ongoing work-in-progress.
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