Reflections
THE SABBATH IS MADE FOR PEOPLE AND NOT PEOPLE FOR THE SABBATH
This saying of Jesus was in the context of his disciples doing something forbidden on the Sabbath. He gave other examples how rules are superseded by need. Laws and rules originally are there to facilitate life in a community. Observance of them normally prevents conflicts, misunderstandings and chaos. However, laws and rules have the tendency, as time goes, by to take on a life of their own and, after the situation in which they were made have changed, they continue to exist and become oppressive to people. One example is the Sunday Mass obligation. In the beginning, it was a joyful commemoration of the last supper. As time went on, the attendance at such reunion became obligatory. In fact, I remember in my childhood catechism lessons that missing Mass on Sunday through one’s fault is a mortal sin and would be punished (of course - since it is mortal) by hell. We of course today see how disproportionate the punishment is to the deed. We need rules, regulations, laws, etc, but their observance must take into consideration the context,the situation and the good of the person. I believe that in school one should not teach the children that being good means obeying rules. What is more important is to train the students in good, responsible decision-making. This formation of a good conscience is the key to living a good moral life.
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