The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
Assaulted continually with too much irrelevant information about things that make no real difference, and told that we must know and assess and decide about every little thing, we find easy outs. The news media sorts it out for us; they show us what is most likely to get our attention and, perhaps, arouse an outraged "OMG!" Anxiously we click the link which is supposed to try my imagination. And we get no satisfaction.
The news media, desperate for attention in a competitive environment, spoon feeds EXCITING information. Because we don't really care what we're told -- we have pressing responsibilities -- we choose between conservative, progressive, ultra-conservative, and ultra-progressive excitement. Our opinions come preformed, and our attitudes are set before we've had our coffee on Monday morning. Dissatisfied and weary, we resume our responsibilities, which have nothing to do with the news.
The Pharisees in today's gospel account apparently had nothing more important to do on a Sabbath morning, and were quite satisfied with what they saw and heard in Jesus's actions. Their preformed suspicions had been confirmed and they moved immediately to do something about it. Although that day was the Sabbath and they were planning to do evil.
They would have done better to listen to the Word of God, either as it was read from their sacred scriptures, or as he spoke to them in the flesh.
But they were too busy. Planning evil.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.