Can We Violate The Law?

Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,

"Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?"

But they kept silent; so he took the man and,

after he had healed him, dismissed him.

Then he said to them 

"Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,

would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?" 

But they were unable to answer his question.

The law is there to protect you.  For example, when you are driving and you see a circular globe of light at an intersection and the color of it is red, well, the law says you have to stop.  If you decide not to, a vehicle coming from the other street may attempt to occupy the same space as you are using as you whizz through, thus causing what we call an accident.  Your failure to obey the law brought you the prompt reward of a crushed up car, various injuries, a citation memorializing this occasion from an official of the state and to top it all off you've made a new friend in the other vehicle who will introduce you to his friend, his lawyer. 

In our reading today, Jesus very clearly violates the law and He did so in front of a bunch of lawyers.  The lawyer's point of view is that engaging in curing a person on the Sabbath is a clear violation of the injunction against working on the official day of rest. They didn't say anything to him, they kept their silence and probably were thinking how they could use this violation to rid themselves of this so-called Messiah.  Jesus knew what was in their heart and confronted the case head-on. This is something that the lawyers were not used to. They enjoyed talking about the fine points of the law, splitting hairs, then splitting them again.  But Jesus asks them outright if He had violated the law.  Jesus gives an example asking if their ox or their son fell into a hole on the Sabbath, would they rescue the victim or not.  Jesus knew that the Law is made for the people and not the other way around.   The lawyers present did not give an answer because they couldn't. 

We are to obey God's law.  This is a firm obligation for all of us without exception.  We are to interpret the law in a way that preserves the intent of the law which means sometimes there might have to be an apparent violation provided that the violation was to save the innocent or to save life itself.  God will hold us harmless as long as we do things out of love. Now, don't go overboard.  Wreckless behavior cannot be disguised as a legitimate violation of the law.  You must be able to show that there was no other option but to engage in disobedience to save life or limb of an innocent party. 

You may live your whole life without encountering a situation where civil disobedience is the right thing to do.  But if you do, know that God will look upon your behavior with generous forgiveness.  Know also, that if you engage in things that are against the law, civil authorities are within their rights to arrest you and exact any legal penalties that are provided for in the law that you break.  You have to accept these as the results of your going against the law.  Be prudent in your judgments, pray, and beg for wisdom from God to know when the law is to be obeyed or if the situation you find yourself in requires disobedience. 

VIOLENCE IS NEVER, EVER  AN APPROPRIATE TOOL FOR A  CHRISTIAN TO USE.  

In any event, be ready to accept the consequences of your actions and always temper your actions with love as is befitting an ambassador for the Great King. 

Please remember the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  As they are perhaps one day you will also be.  Praying for the deceased is an important Christian ministry that you can engage in from the comfort of your own home.  Read the article on Purgatory -  click on the link to the right.