October 30, 2026 Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel: Lk 14:1-6
Today is Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke shows us Jesus at a meal in the home of a leading Pharisee, where He teaches the scribes and Pharisees. Let’s try to understand.
First, Saint Luke tells us: On the Sabbath, Jesus went to eat at the home of a leading Pharisee, and those present were observing Him closely. Before Him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” But they remained silent. (cf. Lk 14:1-4)
We often encounter in our lives those who rigidly adhere to rules, who, like the scribes and Pharisees, live according to their own thoughts and intentions, and try to impose their will on those they meet in life. In their view, if anyone acts contrary to them or violates the regulations they have established to ease their own conscience, they will hinder them. So much so that Jesus rebuked them in one passage of the Gospel, saying: “Woe to you, scribes! For you have taken away the key to knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.” (cf. Lk 11:52) Because they only care for their own private interests, choosing to ignore the common good.
Archbishop John McEvilly of Ireland explains in his work that this man suffering from dropsy was either brought by the Pharisees because his condition was known to all, or he came before Jesus and the Pharisees were seated, presenting himself before Jesus in the hope that Jesus would see his miserable state and heal him. (cf. John McEvilly, An Exposition of the Gospels)
In truth, we are like that man suffering from dropsy (cf. Lk 14:1-4). Before coming to know God, we too endured the suffering that the ruler of this world and his agents inflict upon our soul and body. Like young children just learning to walk, we often stumble and fall on the path to holiness because of our frail human nature. But the Lord Christ, rich in mercy, is always ready to lift us up and heal us with His mighty right hand. When, through the reception of Baptism, we crucify our old, mortal self with Christ, we put to death the self that belongs to sin, no longer slaves to sin (cf. Rom 6:6). When we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, put to death the evil thoughts arising from corruptible flesh, we are children of God. (cf. Rom 8:13-14)
Today, let us no longer follow the ways of this world, but follow the way of Jesus. Let us live out the spirit of the Word of God in our lives. With trust in God, let us offer our prayer:
Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
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