Page 28 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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22 Mystic pathways through the bible
Religious movement evolves rituals according to its need. When it is burdened by ritualistic rigidity, it degenerates into blind belief and superstition. A feeble mentality develops within when one follows a ritual robotically.
Jesus stated that the “Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (KJV Mark 2: 27- 28) All ritualistic aspects of religion must serve the cause of spiritual upliftment. If the Sabbath becomes a mere mechanical drudgery, the Sabbath must be outstepped by a heroic aspirant. Sustained by Christ Consciousness, an aspirant—like the lame man in the story—will no longer blindly depend on the “mat” of karmic conditions or society’s rituals, but will transcend them and attain true spiritual freedom from all limitations in life.
As we re ect on this biblical episode, we realize that throughout human history many religious followers have chosen to honor a literal interpretation of this commandment and have respected a particular day of the week as a Sabbath, or a day of rest. Others have chosen to interpret the commandment more freely and de ne work and rest according to their own spiritual, personal, social and economic needs and goals.
However, even for those who have tried to adopt a literal Sabbath Day, activity never really ceases completely. They may abstain from certain forms of work, yet within their minds they may be calculating