Much as I have great sympathy for Christians who challenge the encroaching secular, pseudo-religious, legalism of the British nation state, Celestina Mba has chosen the wrong day in taking her case to the High Court if she is to argue she should not be required to work on the Sabbath.

According to the Old Testament, Saturday – the seventh day – is the Sabbath, the day of rest (the 2nd century Patristic Church moved this on to Sunday – the first day – in respect to Jesus’s resurrection).

Within the creation story (Genesis 1) God may have rested on the seventh day, however, Jesus (God incarnate) commented that the Son of Man was lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:21-28) and proceeded (for no material reward) to heal/care for people on the Sabbath (much to the annoyance of the Jerusalem religious authorities).

So perhaps Celestina Mba should be prepared as a Christian obligation to work for a care home on Saturdays (the Biblical Sabbath) – but donate all her Saturday earnings to her Church?

Whoever said Christian discipleship did not cost!

Dr Paul Brazier; Oxford Avenue, Wimbledon

 

TODAY'S TOP MERTON STORIES