A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[313] Heb 7:1-3, 15-17 Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 Mark 3:1-6

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” 

Sabbath is a day of rest. But, how can we rest when our neighbor cannot? This man, standing before Jesus, needed help that Jesus was able to provide. How could Jesus have rested well if he had ignored this man’s request because it was the Sabbath? If our neighbor is in need on the Sabbath and we can serve her, I believe we have a duty to do so, and I believe that is what Jesus is saying here. To rest well, is to know that we are serving our Lord well. If we ignore those in need, we are not serving him well.

At the end of the day, are we able to rest well knowing we have paid attention to those most in need and have done what we can do provide for them?