25 October, Monday — Be unafraid to be led by the Spirit

Monday of Week 30 in Ordinary Time

Rm 8:12-17
Lk 13:10-17                                                                                              

But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath…

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been subject to new laws and regulations relating to lockdowns, the number of persons who can dine out together, or even the number of persons who can visit your home.

These rules are designed to try and protect the general populace from this devastating virus, and cannot be broken without potentially life-threatening consequences. However, in many other aspects of our lives, rules and regulations are put into place, and many times, these rules do not seem to make sense.

I used to be an auditor. Much of the work involves following audit steps, meant to achieve the objective of validating if certain controls are working effectively. In certain scenarios, however, certain documents may not be available, and one would have to find alternative methods or documents. Often, however, the defined steps do not measure the effectiveness of the controls. Yet, there is insistence that the steps are followed fastidiously.

In the Gospel today, Jesus challenges the rule of not ‘working’ on the Sabbath. Ultimately, this rule is so that everyone can focus on God, setting aside all work for the day. In thinking about this as I was preparing for this reflection, I realised that while Jesus was untying the bonds of possession over the woman on the Sabbath, the focus continued to be on God!

Paul, in the first reading, also talks about the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit. Our lives should not be aligned to the unspiritual, he says. Instead we should continue to be “plugged in” to the Spirit, and our actions and thoughts be guided by this divine power source.

Brothers and sisters, let us pray that we may have the courage, and the sensitivity to follow this Spirit. Amen.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer: We pray for courage and wisdom, Father, to be sensitive to what is right. Let us not be caught up in bureaucracy and checklists. Give us the strength Lord, to always do what is right.

Thanksgiving: We are grateful for the love that You shower upon us, Father God. Thank you also, for always reminding us to draw strength and guidance from You.