LUKE 6:6-11

On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there who right hand was withered. 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. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us." And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it? Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

Gospelthink: People are more important than law.

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell was a test pilot, maybe the very best test pilot at the time. And he knew it. He was absolutely convinced that he was, and there was simply no discussion, in his mind anyway. And so, when things did not go his way because those who made the decisions felt that no one could do what had to be done in his field of expertise, he was adamant. We see it as the movie begins when Maverick against orders, took his plane to a Mach 10 speed; we see it later on when he proved again against all orders that an action of war involving his plane could be carried out within a specific time frame. Luckily, he had people in high places who could "cover" his disobedience and keep him active. But he proved that he was right.  

In a situation that usually is dictated by obedience, sometimes if we know we are right, some type of independence may be in order. Jesus knew that principle of living, and he also knew the law of not curing on the Sabbath. Therefore he knew that he was breaking the law, but he also believed with all his heart that what he was doing, namely curing another, was more important than any law.

The tricky area, of course, is finding out the instances in which obedience to a law is less important than what one thinks is right. Jesus felt that he had good reason to disobey the law. In the movie "Top Gun Maverick," Pete "Maverick" Mitchell felt the same way about the law determined by an immediate superior. He was totally convinced he was right.

When one justifies a disobedient action, such a one is leaving him or herself open to harsh judgment. And the action should be carefully studied before it is taken.  In the movie "Top Gun Maverick," Maverick probably did not take the necessary time to study the situation, but he felt he was correct in his action.

As you and I in the "normal" situations of life discover what is the best good that can be done, usually it will be the path of obedience. But chances are that some circumstance may say to us that we must disobey the law in whatever form it comes. Perhaps the best criterion to measure such a moment was pointed out by Jesus, indeed was in Maverick's mind as well: the good of people is more important than law.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son constantly ran up against the fact that "the law" dictated action that did not agree with the love that he was teaching his world. In whatever we do, help us be able to follow "the law" but always be aware that love is more important than law. Be with us, we pray. 

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: The thin line between obedience and independence must be governed by love.
      
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 60 minutes)
1. What scene during this session is most striking and why?
2.  In your opinion, why did the religious leaders of Jesus's time dislike him so much?
3. In today's world, do people in general "keep holy the Sabbath," that is for us, a Sunday? Yes or no and why?
4. People often will break some law, for example in driving, paying taxes, and so forth. Do you think that people care about breaking such a law? Yes or no and why?
5. Do people tend to consider carefully some law that they are deliberately not following? Yes or no and why?
6. What are some instances today when helping people may be against some law?
7. In general, do the people of our world believe (and follow that belief) that all people are good and should be helped in some way if they need it? 

2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America